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JJ 


■  -  •  “  through  rr.iv.  precepts  i  get  ukdp.k— 

.  SANDING  r  THY  WORD  13  A  DAMP  TO  MV  fEET, 
AND  A  LIGHT  TO  MY  RAITilk' 


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O’, 


■G  *  *  it-/  C  N  D: 

•»v*  . 

/* mx zed  Ij  John  Dixon,  /«*  //;*  Av  :r & 


ADVERTISEMENT.^  V.  S 

>  ia  ? 7. ^73  '. 

O  HI A  : 

IF  Chrifians  are  free  citizens  of 
Zion ,  they  foil  Id  prize  ihofe  liber¬ 
ties,  feeing  they  were  purchafed 

»)  '> 

with  the  precious  blood  of  Chr if, 

•  -  j  . : 

By  adding  reproaches  to  opprefi- 
on.,  can  never  tend  to  heal  a  clifref 

i 

fed  mind. 

-  If  my  narrative  is  thought  defU , 
tide  of  merit ,  I  can  give  no  preface  | 
that  can  P'ofjibly  grace  it .  ,  i . 


The  Author*  /, 


^  • 

PH- 


V’ 


,  r 


^■r:  ■-  ■.-.s-rz.v-L'  .tiraiwr \* <2 _•;•  >  i'.‘f3B3BS: 

%  : 

f-THE  AUTHOR’S  APOLOGY,  &e. 


CHAP.  L 

i  . 

The  Origin  of  Method  fin,  &r. 

Tf?  Y  the  term  Methodifts,  we  diflinguifh  a 
i.O  body  of  religious  people,  living  by  par  - 
ticular  rule  and  order. 

2  Methodifm  is  not  the  offspring  of  epif~ 

.  ropacy,  but  it  judly  claims. the  Holy  Bible 
for  its  facred  root.  For, 

W  3  In  the  year  1729,  two  young  men  by 
d  reading  the  bible,  law,  that  none  could  be 
d  faved  without  holinefs. 

4  This  bible- holinefs  they  followed  after, 
and  in  the  (Longed  terms  advifed  others  lo  to 
do. 

5  And  it  came  to  pafs  after  thofe  days,  e 
,  hen  in  the  year  1766,  two  niiniders  of  the 
I  methodift  order,  viz.  Embury  and  Straws 
i  bridge,  emigrated  irom~THe  land  of  kings, 

and  fettled  in  North  America. 

6  They  taught  the  people  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  and  formed  focic.ies. 

T  Then  came  over  Pi  1  more  .and  Hoard  man, 
'and  helped  them.  Then  in  the  year  1 77 5 , 
John  of  England  lent  Francis  alio  to  America, 

'  7  The  Lord  of  the  hat  veil  foon  called  Nath 


n 


[  4  ] 

a  g-eat  company  of  preachers  from  the  woods 
of  Columbia;  from  their  Shops  and  farms. 

•3  The  Lord  gave  the  word,  and  great  was 
the  company  of  the  preachers,  s  hey  ran  to 
and  fro,  and  knowledge  increafed. 

9  Li  thofe  days  the  people  of  America 
groaned,  by  realon  of  opprefTion,  they  pray¬ 
ed  the  king  of  Britain  to  eafe  their  burden, 

to  But  the  king  confuhed  the  young  men, 
and  reSufcd  to  remove  any  of  their  burdens, 
but  fen.t  his  army  and  Shot  the  people  of  Co¬ 
lumbia  :  the  people  revolted,  and  returned 
the  darning  complement. 

-  it  1  he  king’s  people  frnote  us  hip  and 
thigh,  but  the  refolute  Franks  came  over  in 
Ihips,  and  helped  us;  then  we  prevailed. 

12  Thofe  preachers  who  came  over  the- fait 
water,  feme  of  whom,  confcientioufly  refufed 
to  qualify  as  American  citizens.  Could  not 
Walk  at  large : 

13  Therefore  there  appeared  a  kind  of  re¬ 
paration  between  the  northern  preachers  and 
thole  in  the  fourh. 

14  And  in  thofe  days,  when  the  number  of 
•the  difeipdes  was  multiplied,-  there  arofc  a 
murmuring  among  the  people  and  four  hem- 
preachers,  with  refpebt  to  the  ordinances:  for-, 
the  old  church  had  corrupted  hcrfelf. 

15  'the  fouthern  preachers  had  a  meeting; 
on  theoccaiion,  in  the  county  of  Fluvarinah, 
about  the  year  1779. 

1  6  And  after  we  were  come  together  for  tpj 

-  ccnfider  the  matter,  and  there  had  been  much"'" 


r  5'  j 

deputing,  John,  vhofc  lir-namcwss  Di-chins, 
made  appear  from  fcripture,  that  a  Prciby- 
tcrv,  and  not  L'pifcopacv  was  the  divine  order.' 

17  Then’ it  pleated  the  conference  to  form 
a  Prctbyrery,  and  ordain  eklcis.  Wc  went 
out  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  the  pleafure. 
of  the  Lord  profpored  in  our  hands. 

1  8  Tidings  of  this  foon  reached  the  north¬ 
ern  preachers,  and  Francis  wiote  that  we 
fhould  meet  in  conference  at  the  M-anakin- 
town,  ro  confider  the  matter  more  minutely. 

19  We  met  accordingly ;  and  Ft'ancisTrom 
the  north  and  John  from  the  loath,  were 
cheif  fpeakers.  Francis  raifed  his  arguments 
from  an  author,  who  advifed  th.c  rae.thodids. 
never  to  leave  the  eftahlifhed  church. 

16  But  John  drew  his  arguments  from  the 
new  tel lameni',  proving  thereby,  that  the  truer 
church  was  not  the  epifcopal  order.  Confer¬ 
ence  broke,  and.  a  fepa, ration  was  the  re  Cult.  ! 

21  I  consulted -my  brother  John,  who  was 

■  a  man  of  \y it dom  and  patience,  that-we  iliou Id- 
make  an  attempt  at  negociation. 

22  We  propofed  that  Francis  fnould  lay 

our  grievances  before  Wefley,  and  that  there 
fnould  be  a  fufpcnf  on  ot  the  ordinances'- until- 
we  could  receive  counfel  from  him.  On  thefe 
terms -we  united.  ...  ■  ■  > 

.  23  1  he  heavy  fruggie  between  Britain  and 
the  men  of  Columbia/  being  not.  at  an  end,- 
Job:  f  Fngland  fufpende'd  his  anfwer  till* 
the  b.cfTed  epoch,  or  time  of  peace. 


[  S  I 


CHAP.  II. 


John  tf  England  writes  circular  letters  to  the 
American  prencbtrs,  &c. 


JOHN,  whofe  fir-name  was  Wdley,  Pent 
primed  circular  letters  to  the  preachers, 
m  America,  in  anfwer  to  our  former  n quell. 
The  following,  is  the  letter  verbatim. 

Z  Bridol  Sepc.  10,  1784. 

To  Dr.  Coke,  Mr.  A  (bury,  and  our  brethren 
in  North  America. 

3  By  a  very  uncommon  train  of  Provi¬ 
dences  many  of  the  provinces  of  North-  Ame¬ 
rica  are  totally  disjoined  from  their  mother- 
country,  and  eredied  into  independent  dates. 

4  The  Lnglifn  government  has  no  autho¬ 
rity  over  them  either  civil  or  ecledadical,  any 
more  than  over  the  dates  of  Holland. 

5  A  civil  authority  is  excrcifed  over  them,  , 
pratly  by  the  Congrcfs,  partly  by  the  Provin-. 
cial  AfTemblies.  But  no  one  either  exercifes 
or  claims  any  ecledadical  authority  at  all. 

6  In  this  peculiar  fituation  feme  thqufands 
of  the  inhabitants  of  thefe  dates  dedre  my 
advice  :  and  in  compliance  with  their  defire, 
j  have  drawn  up  a  little  (ketch. 

7  Lord  King’s  account  of  the  primitive 
church  convinced  me  many  years  ago,  that 
Lid, ops  and  Prdbyters  ate  the  fame  order, 
and  conkquently  have  the  fame  right  to  or¬ 
dain. 

8  For  many  years  I  have  been  importuned 
from  time  to  time,  to  excrcife  this  right,  by 


[  7  3 

ordaining  part  of  our  travelling  preachers. 

9  But  1  have  Bill  refufed,  •  not  only  for 
peace  fake  ;  but  beeaule  1  was  determined,  as 
little  as  pollible  to  violate  th.e  eftablidied  or¬ 
der  of  the  national  church  to  which  I  belong¬ 
ed. 

10  But  the  cafe  is  widely  -different  between 
England  and  North- America.  Here  there 
are  Bifhops  u ho  have  a  legal  jurifdiction  :  in 
America  there  are  none,  neither  pari  ill  mini- 
flers. 

1 1  So  that  for  fome  hundred  miles  together 
there  is  none  either  to  baptife  or  admimder 
the  Lord’s  fupper.  Here  therefore  my  fc Tu¬ 
ples  are  at  an  end: 

12  And  I  conceive  rnyfelf  at  full  liberty,  as 
I  violate  no  order  and  invade  no  man’s  right, 
by  appointing  and  lending  labourers  into  the' 
harvelL 

13  1  have  accordingly  appointed  Dr.  Coke 
and  Mr.  Francis  Afbury,  to  be  joint  Superintend 
dants  over  our  brethren  in  North  America:  as 
alfo  Richard  Whatcoat  and  Thomas  Vafeyg 
to  a 61  as  Elders  among  them,  by  baptifmg  and  ' 
adminidcring  the  Lord’s  lupper. 

i/j.  And  1  have  prepared  a  leturgv  little 
diflh  ring  from  that  of  the  church  of  Englan  L 
(1  think,  the  bed  condicated  national  church1 
dn  the  world)  which  I  advife  all  the  travelling' 
preachers  to  ufoon  the  Lord's  Day,  in  all  the 
congregations, 

15  Reading  the  Litany  only  on.Wednel- 
days  and  Fridays,  and  praying  extempore  on 


[  8  ] 


all  other  da^s.  I  alfoadvife  the  Elders  to  ad-, 
minister  the  {upper  ol  the  Lord  on  ever y 
Lends  Day, 

i  6  It  any  one  will  p.  int  out  a  more  ration¬ 
al  and  0  nptural  way,  ol  feeding  and  guiding 
thole  poor  lheep  in  the  wildernefs,  I  will 
gl.idlv  embrace  it.  At  prefent  I  cannot  fee 
an\  better  method  than  I  nave  taken. 

t  It  has  been  propofed,  to  defire  the  En- 
?'  !h  b'ilhops,  to  ordain  part  of  our  preachers 
!  r  America.  But  to  this  I  objected,  i.  i  dc- 
fired  the  Biihop  of  London,  to  ordain  only  one; 
but  could  not  prevail: 

i  8  'i  If  they  confentcd,  we  know  theflow- 
nefs  ot  their ,  proceedings  j  but  the  matter 
admi  s  of  no  delay,  j.  if  they  would  ordain 
them  now,  they  would  likevviie  expect  to  go¬ 
vern  them. 

19  And  how  grievoiifly  would  this  entangle 
ns?  4  As  our  American  brethren  are  now  to¬ 
tally  difentanglcd  both  from  the  State,  and 
from  the  En^Uh  Hierarchy,  wc  dare  not  en-. 
tangle  them  again,  either  with  the  one  or  the 
other. . 


20  They  are  now  at  full  liberty,  limply  to 
follow  the  fci  iotures  and  t he  primitive  church. 
And  we  judge  it  belt  that  they  fhouid  hand 
fad  in  that  liberty,  whcrewnlV'God  has  lo 
gely  made  them  free. 

JOHN  WESLEY,  t 


[  9  ] 

(  CHAP.  III. 

'fhc  ventral  conference  called — '(‘he  circular  Idler 

con fdered — -A  feparaiion  from  the  church  of 

England ,  &C. 

A  N  D  ic  came  ro  pals  in  the  year  of  our 
Xi  Lord  178.4.,  in  the  twelfth  month,  the 
travelling  preachers  were  calld  together  ro 
the  great  city  of  Baltimore,  to  confider  the 
contents  of  the  circular  letter 

2  We  perceived  the  count'd  given  in  the 
circular  letter  to  be  good  ;  becaufe  we  are  di- 
r ceded  to  follow  the  Icriptures  and  the  primi¬ 
tive  church :  and  to  iland  fait  in  our  liberties, 
peeing  we  were  free  from  the  power  of  kings 
land  bilhops.  Amen, 

3  The  conference  unanirnoufly  agreed  to 
detva  are  ficm  the  church  of  England  :  and 
Therefore  we  formed  our  religions  focieties- 
ir.to  an  independent  church.  I  he  title  was,  . 
|“  The  Methodili  Epilcopal  Church.” 

4  The  term  Epifcopacy,  did  not  let  well  on 
A  he  rounds  of  fome,  feeing  Mr.  Wefley  allured 
•as  th  t  it  was-vhpt  Apofiolic.-.  But  Thomas 
explained  ic  ajjlay,  by  that  indilinitive  term, 

Mediodid  Epifcopacy”— We  had  Epifco- 
fey,  but  no  hifhop.  •  <  - 

5  I  harms  and  Francis  were  our  Superin- 
tend  ants,  as  Prefident  Elders ;  according  to- 
,John.’s  appointment.  But  they  were  not  e-*' 
icpdecl  by  the  fdBrage  of  conference,  pakhongK: 
it  is  1)  v  nr  ten  in  the  book  of  difeipline. 

iy  ■  6  hpifcapacy,  and  the  furccfiion  of-biBiops-* 
•mm  the  A  pell  leg  were  proved,  erronious  by; 


[  10  3 

thole  Superintendar.ts,  in  the  following  manr 
ner. 

7  "As  for  the  fucceHions  of  Bifhops  from 
*r  the  Apoflles,  can  be  proved  neither  Irom 
c*  fcripture,  nor  antiquity.”  Bilhop,  Elder, 
or  Overlecr,  are  iynonimous  reims  through¬ 
out  the  writings  oi  St.  Paul,  Dr. 

8  Are  nor  thcfe  things  written  in  the  fer- 
mon  delivered  by  Thomas,  on  the  ordination 
of  Francis.  Yea,  and  in  the  book  of  difci- 
pline  for  the  year  17  84. 

9  In  the  fame  book,  the  origin  of  Method- 
id  ordination  is  recorded  in  the  following 
manner:  “  Our  ordination  ft  equal  to  that  of 
Prefbyterians,  originating  in  three  Prefhyters. 
of  the  church  of  England.” 

10  The  conference  unanimouflv  agreed  to 
fubmit  to  John  of  England  in  matters  of 
church  government :  but  we  did  not. 

CHAP.  IV. 

A  third  Sr.perintcndant  propo/ed — Debates  on  the 
'  Jy.bjeA — The  motion  lofi — d he  Jo.ci  which  hup - 
'  petted  in  S7  and  1788.  1 

A  ND  it  came  to  pafs  after  thefe  things, 
1  the  Dr.  came  over  to  America,  with  di¬ 
rections  from  John  of  England,  that  Richard 
Wa  tcoat,  ("lately  from  Europe)  fhould  be  let 
apart  for  the  purpofe  ,of  a  J  jint-Superintcn- 
dunt  with  Francis.  ) 

2  And  it  was  fo,  that  the  fubjedt  was  laid 
before  conference,  held  at  Rough  creek,  in 
the  year  i  7  86. 


[  n;  ] 

3  The  chief  fpeakers  on  the  fubjciTt,  were 
Thomas  and  James.  Francis  wasoppofed  to 
a  Joint-Supei  intendant,  yet  faid  but  little— 
hor  he  was  under  authority.  . 

4  Although  Thomas  feemed  to  be'lome- 
what  in  conference,  “  it  makethno  matter  to 
me;”  God  accepteth  no  man’s  perlon. 

5  I  fpake  after  this  manner  ;  That  the  free 
people  of  America  were  exceeding  jealous  of 

■  the  growing  body  of  Methodifts,  becaufe  of 
the  Furopean  heads. 

6  Moreover,  I  did  not  confider  the  perfon 
to  be  adequate  to  the  talk,  on  account  of  his 
age;  and  that  alfo,  he  was  a  ftranger  to  the 
v  iidernels  of  America,  &c.  But  above  all, 

1  I  urged  that  two  heads  would  produce  two 
bodies.  -  - 

7  Francis  propefed  for  the  Baltimone  con-'  . 

ference  to  defide  the  difpute,  to  which  we 
all  agreed;  and  there  the  motion  was  loft;  •  ; 

,?.;8  How  cruel,  and  how  falle  is  the  prevail- 
ing  report  of  mv  leaving  the  Epifcopal  Me-' 
thodiifs  becaule  I  could  not  obtain  the  place  of 
a  bifhop.  I  deny  the  charge,  in  the  prelence 
of  the  Lord,  and  in  the  face  of  the  world. 

.  9  And  it  came  to  pals  about  the  year  1787,’  h  -F 
Frapcis  directed  the  preachers  that  whenever- 
they  wrote  to  him,  to  title  him  Bilhop.  They 
did  lo :  and  this  was  the  beginning  of  our 
fpuFious  Epifcopacy.  ; 

to  The  p’eafure  of  the  Lord  ftil!  prefpered. 
in  our  hands,  n  oft  glcrioufly  indeed.  We 
lengthened  cur  qerds,  but  our  (fakes  gave'  way.- 


ii  Ariel  in  was  fo,  that  in  thole  days  we 
knew  but  little  of  government;  we  depended 
oa  the  gcodiids  and  wifdom  of  the  Biihop. 

i  2  It  hath  been  faid  by  feme,  that  it  woulci 
have  been  well  if  we  had  “  remained  igno¬ 
rant  on  the  fubjeft  of  church  government."— 
Yet  I  mud  believe  that  knowledge  is  better 
than  ignorance j  and  light  better  than  dark- 
nefs. 

13  Thefe  were  glorious  times  for  gaining 
prolclytes  to  God ;  but  the  people  thus  con¬ 
verted,  did  not  profper,  becaufe  they  were 
deprived  of  liberty,  and  gofpel  government: 
being  influenced  too  much  by  the  fear  of  man. 

14  In  thole  days  the  dillrifts  were  formed 
in  a  kind  of  confederacy;  and  the  Bifhop  was 
amenable  to  the  diftrifts  refpefting  his  con- 
dud.  This  plan  was' directed  by  John,  of 
England,  I  believe. 

15  After  thole  things,  Francis  took  with 
him  a  few  chofen  men,  and  in  a  clandeftifie 
manner  (he)  expelled  John,  whole  fir-name 
was  Wefiey,  from  the  “  Methodic  Epifcopal 
Church." 

16  The  fouthern  preachers  were  utter  Gran¬ 

gers  to  the  thing  which  had  happened,  for  a 
teafon }  till  it  began  to  be  whifpered  abroad, 
and  we  then  difeovered  W — 's  name  was  blot¬ 
ted  out  of  the  book:  This  confirmed  the  re¬ 
port.  . 

•  17  This  cruel  aft,  was  thought  by  one  to 
hallen  the  death  of  dear  Wcfley.  Old  not 
1  nomas,  in  behalf  of  VVefiey,  .explode  thet 


conduct  of  Francis,  before  a  congregation,  i rt 
tire  city  of  Baltimore  ?  Are  thefe  things  fo? 

18  I  was  alfotold,  that  the  Dr.  was  about 

to  publifh  it  from  the  prefs,  as  a  wicked  a6t ; 
but  was  prevailed  on  to  defift.  1 ' 

19  Yvefley  could  only  adh  in  America  by  his 
delegates,  and  Francis  was  one  of  thofe  in' 
whom  he  confided:  but  alas,  I  fuppofe  Francis 
betrayed  his  mid.  .  '<  ‘  r 

"  20  But  what  appears  fo  exceptionable  in 
the  conduct  of  Francis, -is  che  clandeftine 
manner  in  which  he  expelled  the  name,  and 
Authority  of  Wefley  ;  and  then  toad:  with  a? 
far  more  lordly  and  tyranaical  power  overus! 

21  Yea,  his  little  finger  has  proved  thicker* 
than  Weflev ’s  loins.  Witnefs  the  book  on 
divitions;  and  alfo  the  late  Jlander  in  the  E- 
pifcopal  minutes :  lacking  only  civil  power  to 
make  it  “  the  Pope’s  bull !"■  F 

r  ;  •  *•  F  '  -  ■  .  :v-:,  ■'  '> 

CHAP.  V. 


Concerning  the  ■  Council. 

A  ND  it  came  to  pafs  in  the  fecond  year  of, 
il  Epifcopacy  (after  the  title  Bifliop)  that* 
Francis  revealed  his  mind  to  the  travelling- 
preachers  in  the  diflridl  conferences,  .refpedt-5 
ing  a  change  of  government.  -  *  * 

2  Francis  informed  us  of  an  uncommon,! 
‘and  glorious  union  among,  the  travelling' 
preachers,  fo  that  the  Millenium  was  ap~: 
preaching,  or  coming  faft  onl 

3  Then  he  propofed  that  a  general  confer¬ 
ence-plan  fnould  be  eflabliflicd, .  where  ail* 


rnighr  aiTcmble  together  at  one  place. 

4  This  led  us  firaightway  into  difputation^ 
We  raifed  feveral  objections  againll  his  pro- 
pofal,  and  our  thoughts  on  fuch  a  plan  of 
government,  were  approved  of  through  the 
diflrids :  the  motion  was  loll,  and  our  objec¬ 
tions  puhlilhed. 

5  And  thus  it  is  written  in  the  Minutes  for 
the  year  1789,  page  12. — “  Whereas  the  j 
holding  ol  general  conferences  on  this  exten- 
five continent,  would  be  attended  with  a  va¬ 
riety  of  difficulties,  and  inconveniences  to 
the  work  of  God — lofs  of  time,  expenfe,  &C;” 

6  Let  it  be  remembered  in  the  annals  of  ' 
church-hirtory,  that  the  very  plan  of  govern¬ 
ment  which  was  condemned,  and  exploded 
through  the  connexion,  is  now  unanimoufly 
received,  and  ertablifhed  by  the  fame  men  ! 

7  Neverthelefs,  thofe  men  plead  the  wif- 
dom  and  weight  of  the  majority  :  although-'  r 
they  have  turned  as  the  “  weather-cock." 

8  13c  it  known,  that  at  the  lame  time  the 
general  conference- plan  was  propofed,  Fran¬ 
cis  propofed  a  council-plan  alfo,  where  a 
few  Elders  might  meet  with  their  Bifhop,  and 
do  the  bufinefs.  N  ' 

9  I  then  arofe  when  the  council  was  pro¬ 

posed,  and  Ipake  after  this  manner;  We 
would  wilh  the  matter  to  be  further  explained" 
to  us.  '  v 

10  That  is  to  fay,  what  will  be  the  bufinefs 
cf  fuch  a  council,  what  power  fhall  it  be  in¬ 
verted  with,  and  what  benefits  may  wc  expeil 


CM  1 

to  receive  from  its  operation  ? 

11  Francis  fpake  and  (aid,  “  there  mud:  be 
fomething  to  preferve  the  union.”  However, 
(faid  he)  the  council  d'.all  only  mature  mat¬ 
ters  for  the  dill  rifts,  and  form  no  refolution 
without  a  unanimity. 

12  And  after  forming  fuch  refolutions,  they 
fhall  be  binding  on  no  didrift,  unlefs  a  ma¬ 
jority  of  the  preachers  in  the  dillrift  agree  to 
them. 

13  The  conference  gave  their  voice  in  fa¬ 
vor  of  the  council,  and  ordered,  that  the  fol- 

j  lowing  refolution  be  printed, 
j  14  “  No  refolution  in  council  without  a 
unanimity,  and  no  refolution  fhall  be  binding 
on  any  didrift,  unlefs  a  majority  of  the  preach¬ 
ers  agree  to  it.” — See  minutes  for  the  year 
|  I789,  page  13. 

I  15  Juft  about  the  time  the  motion  was 
j  carried,  a  powerful  impredion  rud'.cd  into  my 
mind,  refpefting  the  ruin  that  fuch  a  change 
might  bring  upon  us.  . 

16  As  I  fat  the  table,  I  opened  my  mouth 
and  fpake  after  this  manner; 

17  This  council  I  fear  will  brake  our  uni- 
i  on,  and  not  preferve  it :  One  di drift  may  re¬ 
ceive  what  another  may  rejeft,  &c,  Francis 
jogc-d  my  elbow,  and  I  ceafed  fpcaking.,  ■ 

I  t  CHAP.  VI. 

The  A  tec  ting  of  the  Pir/1  Council , 

A  ND  it  came  to  pafs  on  the  fir  if  day  of  the 
tenth  month,  in  the  year  4789,  that 


t  >6  r 

Francis,  with  a' few  Elders,  afiembiecl  in. 
council  at  Baltimore. 

2  Francis  refufed  two  worthy  miniders  a 
feat  in  council,  in  his  abfolute  manner,  with¬ 
out  rendering  any  reafon  for  fuch  conduct. 

3  We  then  proceeded  to  bufmefs,  but  what, 

I  knew  not ;  for  all  was  premediated,  and  de- 
pofited  in  the  one  mind.  ^ 

4  The  political  project  was  carried  on  in 
the  following  manner ;  Francis  would  propofe 
a  few  fentences  at  a  time,  &c. 

,  5  The  intention  of  the  man  I. knew  not, 

therefore  the  thing  being  hid,  the  interpreta¬ 
tion  was  too  hard  for  me. 

6  I  moved  on  in  the  dark,  and  groped  as  a 
blind  man:  For  none  know  the  mind  of  a 
man,  fave  his  fpiric  within  him. 

7  The  judicious  reader  will  wonder  at  our 
fiupid  conduct,  thus  to  be  duped,  not  to  de¬ 
mand  the  intention  to  be  explained,  previous 
to  our  entering  into  bufinefs. 

8  I  confefs,  that  on  one  fide  it  difeovers 
Veaknefs;  and  on  the  other  hand  policy.  ; 

9  But  as  we  were  men  under  authority,  we  . 

feared  to  offend  our  fuperior.  He  would  of¬ 
ten  pray  that  God  would  deliver  the  preach-  t. 
ers  from  the  curfe  of  fufpicion.  This  prayer, 
had  the  deftred  effedt  on  fome  of  us.  •  • 

10  Francis  propofed  that  no  preaching 
>  houfe  fhould  be  built  for  the  time  to  come, 

by  the  people,  without  fir  ft  obtaining  liberty 
of  the  conference. 

'ill  cogently  oppofed  the  motion,  bccaufe- 


£  »7  *3 

'  loved  the  people,  and  conceived  it  to  be'atf 
:? ivcfion  on  their  civil,  aswell  as  religious  lib.er-  * 
ties!  '  * 

12  I  contended  on,  till  1  difeovered  Fran-*  ’ 
;is  to  be  much  dilpleafed;  and  he  anfwered' 
»nd  faid  unto  me,  ,f  I  can  (lay  in  Baltimore a$ 

S‘  long  as  you :  and  if  I  do  not  carry  this-,  L 
will  never  fit  in  another  council.”  n 

13  However,  I  obtained  a  fmall  amend¬ 

ment,  and  fo  gave  over  contending:  and  the 
Dufinefs  went  on.  •  .  ) 

i  14  In  the  evening  I  unboforaed  myfelf  to 
gny  brother  Philip;  but  from  what  I  after-  . 
wards  heard,  I  found  that  Solomon’s  bird  had 
tarried  the  news  to  the  great  man..  ■«  '  v 
15  However  I  told  Francis,  that  inftead  oF 
rounfellors,  v.’e  were  his  tools ;  and  that  I  dif. 
ihed  to  be  a  tool  for  any  man.  :/  •  .  > 

;  16  The  bufmefs  was  (inifhed,  and  the  whale 
tolle&ed,  and  I  fuppofe  prepared,  and  fenc 
:o  the  prefs.  I  faw  them  no  more  until  the 
refolves  came  out  in  print..  .  .  •'  .  ;  ;  i1 


.  ...  .  CHAP.  VIL.  .  ..  !  ,  d 
Preacher  Discharged ,  hPu  . 

ND  it  came  to  pafs  after  thefe  fhingV 

when  the  morning  was  c.omc,  that  the 
preachers  were  abeijt  to  addrefs  themfelves  to 
‘heir  journey,  each  one  was  prefented  with  a 
new  plan  of  government..;.  .  ;  * 

2  Then  I  thought  it  good  to  take  with  me 
■Edward,  whofe  lir- name  Was  Morris,  for  he 


was  a  good  man  and  a  good  minifter.'  '* 

3  And  when  we  had  departed  out  of  the 
city,  we  began,  as  we  journeyed,  to  examine 
our  new  cooftuuticn ;  for  although  we  were 
members  of  the  council,  we  knew  not  rightly 
what  Was  done. 

•  4  In  obferving  the  contents,  w’e  difeovered 
a  new  conftitution,  of  a  very  defpotic  nature,  i 
Nine  med  could  ad  as  the  legiflature,  but  the 
Bifltop  had  the  negative  on  the  Council  for 
time  to  come. 

'  5  Edward  fignified  to  me,  that  he  would 
not  travel  unoer  luch  a  government;  and 
went  ftraightway  and  married  a  virtuous  dam- 
fei,  and  located  himfelf,  as  others  have  fince 
done.  '  : 

,  6  When  I  had  informed  the  Virginia  preach¬ 
ers  of  what  was  done,  they  were  ferely  dif- 
pleafed  with  our  conduct.  o  r 

:  7  T  allured  them,  that  they  had  yet  powef 
tc  reject  it  when  it  came  to  the  vote  in  our  dif- 
trict ;  fcecaule  we  had  a  law*,  and  by  that  lav* 
nothing  done  in  Council  could  bind  any  dif- 
tridt,  without  the  majority  of  preachers  a- 
greed  to  ic»  '  '  ‘ . 

i;'d  The  cogitations  C*f  my  head  troubled  me, 
and  for  a  feafon,  deep  departed  from  me.  - 
<;*9  1  feund  myfelf  deceived,  and  the  church 
impeded  on,  becaufe  the  people,  and  local 
preachers  were  not  •  even  xonfulted  on  the 
bnfinefs. 1  '  .  - 

io  I  wrote,  to  Francis  after -this  manner t 
Brother,  you  know  our  infant  Fate,  granl  us 


t  >?  3 


'one  year  to  confider  the  matter  coming  be¬ 
fore  us.  , 

1 1  Or  if  you  refufe  this,  take  away  your  ne¬ 
gative.  And  if  you  refufe,  “  I  fnall,  as  a  duty 
1  owe  to  the  church,  ufe  mine  influence,”  &c. 

.  12  Francis  received  my  letter  by  the  hand 
of  the  mcffenger,  but  he  utterly  refufed  to 
comply  with  my  requeft.  ,  •  ■ 

13  He  anfwered  me  after  this  manner;— 

**  Thy  letter  greatly  alarmed  me  !  but  pray, 

Tt  who  boldly  demands  my  negative?  My  ne~ 

“  gative  is  my  own,  I  never  have  received 
ff  (uch  a  check  from  any  preacher  in  Ameri- 
ct  ca,”  &c. 

.  14  I  now  began  to  difeover  the  rapid  five- 
years  growth  of  “  A  moderate  Epifcopacy.'* 
Whereunto  lhall  I  liken  it;  It  is  like  unto  a'- 
dwarf,  whole  head  grows  too  fail  for  its  body. 


,  ■  QHAP.  VIlL 

-  The  proceedings  0/  Francis  in  gaining  profelytes  i& 
his  Eeclefiajiical  Monarchy, 

BY  information  I  underflood,  that  he  (Fran*  f 
cis)  in  his  way  towards  the  fouth,  ordain-  1 
ed  feveral  novices  to  the  office  of  Elders 
which  was  a  violation  of  the  refolvesof  coun¬ 
ted.  v  c  . 

2  But,  perhaps  he  gained  profelytes  by  that 
means.  As  one  obferved  in  a  letter,  “  Rail;; 
them  one  flep  higher,  and  all  is  well." 

3  Francis  arrived  at  Charidlown,  and  i  yp 
Conference  propofed  the  new  government  .  ; 
but  it  Mas  rejected. 


[  «  '•  J 

“4  Then  Francis  (with  the  name  of  confer-*  I 
cnee)  ventured  to  alter  what  the  grand  couiv-1 
crl  had  done. 

5  By  what  authority  did  Francis  (and  a. 
petty  conference)  alter,  amend,  extend,  or  a-* 
bridge  the  refclves  of  an  Eccleliaftical  Con'* 
^refs  ? 

6  And  it  was  fo,  that  in  Somh-Carolini- 
the  new  form  of  government  was  received, 
with  thofe  illegal  alterations.  ' 

7  In  North-Carolina,  there  were  heavy" 

debates  in  conference  refpecting  the  newcoh- 
ftrtution,  and  they .  refufed'to  adopt  it,  even 
with  the  amendments.  '  -  . 

*  8  Then  Francis  propofe’d “another  confut'd-  :  I 
tionu  (though  the  fame  nearly  in  fubfKnce)!  r 
\l:hich  he,  himfelfhad  formed  ;  this  he  called, 

"  My  mature  thoughts.’-’  _  The  fame  was  a-^ 
dopted  in  North-Carolina. 

y  The  reader  will  no  longer  be  at  a  lofs  to 
find-  out  the  (f.uje  of  our  ragged  lepafatjonp  - 
when  he  beholds  how  the  different  diftricts  ;  : 
adopted  different  conft itutions  ! 

* :  i  o  tThis  is  the  fruit  of  a  human  head,  fixed  \ 
fb  a  fphitual-body  of  chrillians!-  '  i  j 

V!  \  f -Arid  it  came  to  pals  in  thofe  days,  even'  l! 
an  fhe  year  1790,  that  Francis  came  according' 

A5 T.pp 01  fitment'  to  cur' conference  held  in  Pe- 
iir?  (CKirgFp  •*-*  •  > !  '  '  •  ! 

p .  1  2  He  ivas  rhet  with  a'  wlrm  rebeptionj  and 
bA^Fafici'ng  each  other  of  our  welfare,  he  de- 
’•a’r.krtfutG  4s''what-hc  hhddone  in  the  fouth  ? 

(?. ow  the  plan  had  been  altered,'  3  nd  in  -what 


: 


r  «  -]  . 

manner  the  preachers  (not  the  church)  had 
jreceivcd  it.j  * 

13  He  then'prefented  us  with  a ‘copy  of 
his  “  Mature  thoughts.”  I  eafiiy  dilc'overed 
that,  in  every  alteration,  he  took  care  to  fe curia 
Jais  power.  .  ; 

.  14  To  me  it  appears,  that  all  thefe  things 
arc  according  to  the  counfcl  of' his  own  wili* 
created  by  him,  and  for  him;  and  through  th? 
medium  of  conference,  eftablilhed :  Seeing 
he  remaineth  a  Hjgh-Prieft  over  the  Metjaod-j 
ift  Epifcopal  Church.  f 

1  5  A  man  in  his  ftation  ought  to  be  pur£ 
like  an  angel,-  .for -he is  a  perpetual  prefi- 
dent,  and  fuperintends  all  the  concerns  of  th$ 
church,  both  Ipiritual  and  temporal.  f 

16  All,  Francis  was  born  and  nurtured  in 

the  land  of  kings  and  bifhops,  and  that  which* 
is  bred  in  the  bone,  is  hard  to  begot  out  of 
the  fieih,  .  •  /  5;  ;  .  ‘  ; 

17  But  after  fome  time  elapfed  in  confer-^ 

"ence,  Francis  addreffed  us  in  the  following 
manner:  ■  .  ..  v  /  ^ 

iB  To-morrow  I  fhall  lay  before  you  tha 
new  form  of  government ;  ..and.  you  may  Re¬ 
ceive  it  as  formed  in  council,1  or. with  the? 
Charleftown  amendments,  or  receive..  “  M.j^ 
mature  thoughts/’  offer  year  amendments*. 
~n  or  rejed  it  altogether.’*  .  -.  0  0  -  {% 


C«  -v...  *.  .Vi'  it.  'if  4  {£ 


L  22  j 
CHAP.  I5C.  . 

The  new  plan  of  government  reje&ed — The  preach-* 
,  ers  expelled,  idc. 

7 N  the  evening,  the  preachers  defired  my 
•jl  advice  on  the  matter  which  was  to  be  laid 


before  them  on  the  morrow. 

2  I  anfwere'd  them  after  this  manner;  Bre~ 
thren,  you  know  my  mind  on  thefubjed,  and 
my  forrows  have  I  not  hid  from  you.  I  judge 
it  bed;  that  you  aHemble  you  riel  ves  together 
this  night,  and  connder  the  fubjedt  among 
yourielves,  with  prayer:  hut  1  will  not  be 
with  you. 

3  Confider  it  as  the  caufe  of  your  God; 
dived  yourfelves  of  the  fear  of  man;  give  your 
voice  in  the  fear  of  i  Hod ,  to  the  belt  of  your 
judgment. 

J  O 

.  4  And  it  was  fo,  they  followed  my  court . 
fei,  and  we  all  met  the  next  morning  before 
the  president,  in  number  about  twenty-one* 
if  I  remember  right. 

5  1.  he  p  re  tide  lit:  p  repo  fed  it  as  above  ob¬ 

served,  and  we  all  (except  two)  with  one  voice 
rejeded  it  altogether.  ' 

5  Then  anfwered  Francis  and  faid,  ■'  y< 3 
:  all  fpoken  out  cf  one  mouth.”  Hence- 
.  :r':h,  “  ye  are  all  out  of  the  union.”  fhen, 
•  :  »e  in  diftrefs,  he  gathered  up  his  papers 5 
io  ended  conference  without  prayer !  . 

7  Thus  it  was,  the  thing  that  I  fc  red  came 
upon  me,  for  the  union  was  broken,  2nd  not 


rv 


'Wc 


T h e  you n g  m i ni B e rs .we p t . 
ftrud;  vTH  ailcn:fh‘T?,::t  to  C-d 


■  •  l  n  ') 

^ 

that  we  were  all  expelled  the  union,  by  the 
arbitrary  voice  of  one  man ;  for  no  offence,  but 
voting  according  s«  our  own.  matured  judg*. 
m.ent  i 

,  9  We  could  have  appealed  to  the  people  of 
our  care,  and  produced  our  md-'y  oh  a  racier 
but  ah  !  no;  the  people  have  not  power  to  help 
them fc Ives !  Now  I.  began  to  fee  ! 

,  10  Had  we  appealed  to  England,  Wefley 

himfelf  was  cut  off  before.  Truly  did  reding  1 
Call  out  of  union,  charged  with  rebellion,  fee. 
by  one  arbitrary  man  ! 

,  ft  We  then  ddired  Fmncis  to  fuffer  a  con¬ 
vention  to  meet  on  theoccafion,  if  only  two 
from  a  diltridt,' and  not  to  call  us  off  without 
a  hearing.  He  refufed.  .  '  w 

;  12  It  was  then  propofed  that  I  ihonld  be 
allowed  to  attend  the  northern  conferences, 
and  give  my  light  on  the  fubjefc  of  govern¬ 
ment,  and  cur  proceedings,  &c.  . •- 

33  For  we  had  allowed  Elders  fro  in  far,  to 
tpeak  in  our  conference:  who  were  friends  to 
the  'neiv'conliitution.  But  Ft ancis'wbu 5d- nog 
agree  that  we  ihould  have  the  like  privilege. 

1 4  The  interpretation,  is  this;  Nineteen, 
m  millers,  i  believe  called  and  approved  ol  by 
Too,  and  beloved  by  the  people,  were  expel  ted 
£hc  union  >of  a  church,  containing  fixey  of 
Seventy’  thou  land  fouls,  by  the  voice  of  Francisi 
1  15  Should  it  be  laid,  that  our  expulsion  .was 

s.  natural  con  I  dque nee,  or  refuit  of  our  rejects 
j*"»g  the  goyerhmeuc  which  others  h ad  adopted^ 
Ji . ~t qty.tv.-obi erve,.  ’:brw  only  minority 


C  54  i 

eeived  it  at  the  time. 

1 6  Is  the  like  or  this  to  be  found  in  the  an-* 
Xials  of 'hiftory  ? 

17  Then  fpake  the  young  minifters  unto 
Francis ,  before  His  departure,  faying,  f<  what 
fhall  v.e  do,  and  what  will  become  of  this 
diftridt?” 

1  3  He  anfwered  them  after  this  manner; 
If  you  will  agree  that  I  (hall  be  your  bifhop, 
I  will  (lation  you  in  this  diflrid.  on  the  old 
plan.”  .  . 

1 9  They  accepted  his  offer,  and  the  difirid: 
was  committed  to  their  care:  but  no  regard 
was  paid  to  O’KELLY. 

.  20  This  is  the  interpretation.  As  they  a~ 
greed  that  he  was  their  bifhop,  they  thereby 
•iubjeclcd  themfelv.es.  And  fecondly,  as  they 
.were  put  in  care  of  every  circuit,  this  it  me 
out.  And  as  touching  the  old  plan,  this  could 
loon  be  altered  again. 

f‘  ‘  ‘  •'  .  '  ‘  i 

.  *  .  -  CHAP.  X.  •  v 


■  Circular  Idlers  zvrole ,  read,  and  defpjed ,  13 c.  . 
ND  it  came  To  pafs  after  thefe  things* 
and  Francis  had  gone  on  his  way  to  the 


difirid:  conferences  towards  the  north,  1  wrote 
jeveral  lo  rs  to  the  different  conferences* 
ht  •  Hum.  of  the  pj  1-dersj 

’and  broth-.::  Jcfje,  helped  n  e. 
i,  2  I  wrote  afrer  this  manner  ;  Brethren,  and 
A  low  labourers,  you  are  the  only  court  v,£ 
•ve  to  lay  our  grievances  before. 


3.. Wears  net. pc 

w  * 


IOjnlIi  :■  1 . 


^  •  1  ro  ’  5 


£  *$  3. 

v/c  have  done  no  evil ;  but  we  demand  of  yOa- 
jrhe'crdinance  ofjuftice.  We  are  not  allowed 
to  be  pro  lent.  We  are  cut  off,  2ec. 

4  Report  fay,  our  letters  were  read,  and 
treated  very  unfriendly,  through  the  power 
a n d  infl u e n c e  o f  F>  u n sis :  id e  w a s  j u ft i h c d ,  a n 4 
•vve  condemned,  as  the  authors  of  evil. 

5  And  it  was  fo,  that  the  new  conllitutiog, 
was  received  and  a  fecond  council  called-. 

..  6  But  previous  to  the  fettingof  the  fecond 
coumil,  Francis  wrote  letters  to  the  Virginia 
preachers,  after  this  mariner; 

7  I  advii'e  that  you  all  meet  in  conference; 
among  you  riel  ves,  and  if  you  will  fubrpit  tp 
the.  new  plan  of  government,  “  fend  your  de¬ 
legate  to  the  council.” 

8  “  The  council  (bat!  concern  only  with  the 
temporalities  of  the  church ;  y  off  have,  my  1a  ft. 
v/ill  and  tefiament.” 

9  We  immediately  collected  ourfelves  top 
geilicr  in  conference,  in  the  county  of  Meck¬ 
lenburg,  to  consider  the  matter. 

to  After  feme  debating,  I  fpafce  after  this 
;  manner,-.  Brethren,  .we  have  hitherto  been 
mocked,  let  us  wait  to  lee  thefe  prom ifejs. ful¬ 
fil  led.  Can  Francis  allure  us  what  the  con- 
clufion  of  the  next  council  filed),  be? 

i  i  And.  that  is  net  all,  the  Dr.  is  interefieq- 
in  the  re  mporalities,  and  .can.  wc  act  handily 
in  enta  iugxhc.'whp’e.  o.n  J0,&r\d  f  <  hcil*. 
in  his  absence ?  ~ , 

l  2  ’  My  advice, is,  that  we  write  an.afiedlmn- 
ate. letter,  but'lepd.  pp  dogate,.. ,  The  fi'.yiug 


L  3 

plea’fcd  the  brethren  general !/.'  ‘ 

1 3  I  then  read  the  contents  of  a  long  letter, 
fint  to  us  by  Mr.  T.  a  teacher  of  the  Latin. 
/\nd  thus  it  was  written  ; 

■■  14  Brother  preachers,  the  people  confide 
in  you, give  away  your  privileges  with  caution! 
This  matter  is  pregnant  with  great  confer 
■  quences.  , 

1 5  By  affecting  to  the  grand  council,  a  plan 
is  laid  for  Kpifcopal  dignity  and  foyercignty  ! 
You  mull  unavoidably  be  guilty  of  Subverting, 
joining,  and  fanner  or  later  totally  destroying 
the  glorious  Gofpcl-Methodift  fa  brick  in  A- 
merica. 

-  1 6  By  reje&ing  it,  you  will  fettle  and 

Strengthen  the  well  ereded  tower,  on  the  walls 
bf  Zion,  for  the  bullwaik  defence  of  the  city 
oi  God.  .  , 

1 7  May  that  city  ever  flourifli,  rnay  you  • 
be  her  tender  guardians. 

-  1 8  Watchmen,  The  church  requires  no 
grandeur  in  the  adminifhaticn  of  her  affairs  $ 
Simplicity  of  government  fuits  her. 

i  o  9  When  we  view  the  church  in  her  pri-* 

|  mi  live  Hate,  her  government  was  extremely  - 
and  natural : 

•  2  o  N  o  5  ff  •  in  i  u  g  a  ft  erpre-e  m  i  n  e  n  ce  t  no  itch- 
fter  abfolut  po  r.  !e  the  church 
remained  in  go  (pel  fimj  !i  ty,  I  ’  ;.v  the 

:  .  >m  of  J  piead,  till  hell 
to  the  center !  . 

■  2i  Look  back  on  hide;  y,  and  -behold  the 
...  fu  ii  ;  ha  i$  b  ht»  IJ  yo  i.h  . 


r  27  j 

fees?  the  fata!  errors  (in  aggrandizing bifhops) 
avoid  them  yourfeives, 

2a  If  Mr.  Aibury  fhould  be  faved,  and  oii« 
ly  one  century  hence  could  return,  and. fee 
the  ruin  he  had  brought  upon  us, 

23  Thoufands  damned,  which  otherwife 
might  have  been  fitting  with  him  in  Paradife, 

24  O,  how  his  heart  would  bleed,  and  his 
eyes  run  down  with  tea; a !  May  wifdorn  and 
grace  guide  you  j  fo  prays  your  friend, 

Thoinpfors,  - 

CHAP.  XL 

Ref eR  ions  on  the  Council,  &c. 
f\  KD  it  was  fo,  about  this  time  Francis  cut 
J.  X  off  part  of  my  diftridt,  and  fixed  a  man  to 
prefide  therein,  who  was  after  his  own  heart. 

2.  And  it  came  to  pafs  on  the  twelfth  month’, 
on  the  firfl  day  of  the  month,  in  the  yea? 
1790,  that  the  Council  afTembled  the  fecond 
Cine  at  Baltimore. 

3  In  the  firfic  place,  they  proclaimed  the 
eibiblifhnient  cf  the  new  government. 

(  4  In  the  fecond  place,  they  confidered  the 
author  ity  they  v/ere  inverted  with. .  in  all  tem¬ 
poral  matters  .to  adt  decifively  ;  and  to  re-p 
com  mend  new  cannons  to  the  d'irtridt  confer¬ 
ences,  u oy  alterations  to  be  made  in  old  ones." 
.Did  F.  forget  his  ie  laft  will? 

5  1  he  red  of  the  cannons,  d;c.  are  they  not 
’verb  rep,  in  the  Council  book? 

6  When  1  looted  over  the  resolutions  of  the 
fecond  council,  (which  I  have  by  mej  coa- 

f: ..  7  .  :.r  thh ?!  e  wl 


I  23  j 

'eonltfted  cfbook-felling;  funds,  fubfcriptionS, 
the  credit  of  Cokeibtiry,  with  arbitrary  re- 
irridtions  on  the  people,  in  diftritts. 

•  7  1  coniidered  that  a&  the  name  of  God,  was 

not  mentioned  in  the  book,  that  the  Lord  was 
/lot  in  the  council!  and  as  the  whole  fchume 
appeared  to  be  money,  money,  &c. 

8  I  coniidered  thole  preachers  who  had 
gone  to  merchandising,  were  in  the  bed  hi: fi¬ 
nds,  with  refped  to  monies:  bccaufe  whre 
they .  received  henenly,  would  be  for  value 
received,  and  their  own  families  would  re¬ 
ceive  the  profits  ariling. 

9  I  intreat  the  church  to  read  the  cannons 
;Of  that  council,  Lee.  i,  179.0. 

...  10  I  kno*w  the  people  are  taught  to  believe 
that  ail  thole  heavy,  and  repeated  collodions 
ds,  and  college's,';  are  ads  of  charity :  >’ 

1 1  And  the  pbjeds ,a.re  faid  to  be  worn  out 
preachers,  di  Hr  died  widows,  and  **  charity- 

.  0.”  •  '• 

12  Let  the  whole  be  examiued,  and  a  fair 
dtimation  be  ihevrn,  then  on  the  other  hand, 
let  the po  r  relieved  \vi  lews,  poor  local  p  each . 
ers,  and  charity-boys  come  forth  : 

13  And  ictus  fee  how  it  will  tally.  I  be- 

:  th<  y  he  ch  : 

V/ifh  matters  brought  to  this  illue.  9 

:  i-v  Did  not  Francis  meek  us,  when  he  font 
petitions  through  all  his  provinces',  urging 
Every  memb  r,  male  ;  ale  to  1  n  :i  him 
relief. 

*.  J  5  IT:  teld  his  preachers,  .th  jfti  r  I 


C  2 9-  33 

not  exert  themfelvcs  in  "  firing  up  the  pacr; 
pie,”  that  likely,  they,  would  hear  of  his  he-*'’ 
ingin  jail.  ,  •  ■  X 

.  1 6  Then  left  us,  and  went  flraight  way  UP 
a  certain  Mr.  Davis,  and  agreed  to  raife  (ifthei 
Methodifts  can  tell  true)  yf.3000,  to  a  Hi  ft  the- 
laid  Davis  in  erecting' a  new  college. 

17  1  believe  that Ced  fen  font  the  Methods  y- 
ill'  preachers,  not  to  build  colleges,  but  ten  n 
build  up  a  holy,  fun  pie-  hearted  people-  And! 
ai  felect  meeting  is  a  better  fchool  for  that 
purpofe,  than  a  college.  a  .> 

-  1  3  I  have  no  defign.  to  xeflefl.on  learning;* 

only,  let-  gentlemen-  fee  to  that.  .  • 

‘  CHAP.  XII  -■  3  f  '■* 

f'bt jiicndly  conduct  of  *7 'bom as-—- -A  g?neral-mee$£ 
big  called ,  ode.  ■  ■  i 

A-  FTER  thefe  things,  I  prepared  a  letter* 
i  A  of  information  for  Thomas,  who  was> 
expeifted  at  the  Charleflrown  conference.-  > 

■  2-  He  came  according  to  expectation,  herc«i 
ceived  ray  letter,  and  pleaded  my  caule  in  the 
coiifernce ;  v/ithflood  •  Francis  to  the  face;'- 
condemned  his  ccnducl ;  and  (he)  being  the; 
fenicr,  had  a  general  meeting  ippointe'd  ac^ 
cording  to  our  requeft;. 

:  3  At  which . meeting,  of  the  preachers,  the  ; 
new  form  of  government  fhouid'be  fairly  in  ‘  ] 

v-c  ft  i  gated,  and  the  i sift itb'r ion  fraud  or  fall -by 
t  h  e  deci  fi  6  n  o  f  t  h  a  icon  v  e  n  t  i  on-. 

•f  4-  How  have  matters  been  reprcfcn.ted,  j 

fair,  and  cruel. .  I  -dc-.fi  re-  to  be  weighed  in  the.  :•  i 


£  3°  :i 

equal  Scales.  '  *  -  • 

.  5  If  my  letter  to  Thomas  was  not  fair  and 
generous,  if!  overcharged  the  one  fide,  and 
covered  my  own  failings,  let  the  letter  tefiify 
egair.fi;  me. 

6  And  ir  came  ro  pafs  after  thefe  things, 
ghat  Thomas  and  Francis  came  to  the  confer- 
crice  in  Petcrfburg,  where  the  preachers  were 
ofiernbled,  where  I  attended  alfo;  for  all  this 
£ime  I  had  laboured  in  the  word  and  dodtrine. : 

7  Thomas  informed  us,  that  the  general. 
Conference  was  appointed,  in  order  to  over¬ 
look  the  whole  proceedings  of  the  council, 
and  that  it  fhould  {land  or  fall  by  the  dccifi-. 

i  of  that  meeting. 

3  Francis  was  fore  difpleafed.  But  Tho- 
teas  highly  approved  of  my  condudl  j  and  that 
the  treatment  I  had  met  with,  in  his  abfence, 
ilieuld  not  pafs  in  filence,  but  be  laid  over  for- 
conference. 

9  Moreover,  Thomsr,  fpakeunto  me  again, 
after  this  manner;  “  Methodifm  is  gone,”  &c. 

i  o  Out  remember,  when  we  meet  together, 

1  ove  ro1  r  e  new  infti  , 

e  ;v:  .(hail ;  r<  if  Mr.  . *,  i s  m  t  fati  i  ? 

with  the  government  ns  it  flood  before,  we 
will  contend  fora  republican  government! 
*i  Give  me  thy  hand.  Fear  net.  i  am  a  friend 
to  America.’  ’ 

a  i  And  it  cat  :  to  \  fs  in  the  la 
year  -  ; 9 : ,  in  die  eleventh  month,  the  gene-, 
ml  conference  met  according  to  app c  intment, 
.hi  the  city  of  Baltimore. 


,  V  T  it  J 

1 2  Jn  fc  at  the  eve  ©f  hu finds,  the 
ippeared.  His  prefence  revived  me,  fori 
thought  my  belt  friend  had  come  to  town. 

13  3  perceived  by  the  countenance  of  Frank 
cis,  that  he  rejoiced  to  fee  Thomas  •  and.afT. 
ter  the  falutation,  fixed  him  in  the  chair. 

14  I  remembered  the  letters  l  had  received 
from  F.  a  while  before,  which  fpake  on  this 
wife;  Let  all  pa  ft  condufi  between  thee  and 
Hie  be  buried.  <f  and  never  come  before  con¬ 
i’,  rence,  or  elfewhere.”  s<  Send  me  the  dove.’* 

1  law  thy  face  was  not  towards  me  in  all  that 
council,  therefore,  1  did  not  treat  thee  with 
that  rcfpe<F  due  to  one  who  has  fuffered  lb 
much  for  the  caufe  of  truth  and  liberty.  I 
wrote  to  the  Dr.  that  if  he  tame  here  again, 
he  would  fee  trouble.  Francis.”  ■ 

•  15  I  began  to  think  chat  Thomas  had  ta¬ 

ken  the  alarm i  and  rather  than,  be  expelled* 
as  John  was,  he  had  Stepped  over  to  the 
thronged  fide,  and  left  me  to  fuffer;  And  it 
y/as  fo.  .  ■  J 

16  Th:n  proceeded  F,  according  to  Ms 
foreknowledge,  ■  predefiinadon,  and  jn<j:rc:$n 
power;  choofe  out  of  conference-  a  few  menp 
which  formed  the  privy  council.  ■ 

■'  1  y  rhen  he  pj  :  '  :  3  .  d  the  it 

...  I  if  any  one  objected  to  either  of  them! 
And  it  was  fo,  t’mt  nay  name'  was  among  them. 

:  1 3  He  appointed  for  us  to  meet  him  (an.  1 
Thomas)  that  -evening,  in  a  private  houfs. 
Confej  cr.cc  adjourned. 


'  [  3*  1 

CHAP.  xnr.  •  .  - 

■proceedings  of  the  Com-,;!!!  tee  that  night  s  and 
of  the  Conference  the  day  following. 

';f  MET  the  feleCt  number  that  evening,  a c- 
A  cording  to  appointment,  and  found  then} 
engaged  in  reviling  our  old  book  of  difcipline* 
?.  My  thoughts  were  many,  but  my  words 
were  few.  i  hey  locked  one  at  another,  and 
one  turned  toward  me,  and  addrefied  me  in 
the  following, manner  ; 

’  3  Will  you  pafs  your  word  to  abide  by  what 
this  conference  may  do? 

4  My  anfwer  was,  “  ‘fou alarm  me!  TeU 
"me  (continued  I)  ’./hat  you  intend  to  do?” 
They  anfwered  and  laid.  We  cannot  tell;  hue 
y/e  will  pafs  our  word  to  abide  by  the  d  r  ;ificn 
of  this  conference.  .  , 

.  5  I  utterly  refufed  to  pafs  my  word,  f 
then  faw  .vhy  they  wanted  me  in  that  meet® 

'  isr.  .  • 

;  6  And  it  came  to  pafs  on  the  morrow,  thaf 
■conference  met  perfuanc  to  adjournment.  "  , 

]  '  ■  roleTl  ...  ,  ■ :  prefidentj 

•pepoi  cd  to  conference  the  refclves  pi  he  corn » 
•y  >it  tee, .  &o. 

8  Moi  y, "  '  tinued  his'fj 

d  :  *  :  ibersof  this 

“  are  the  reprefentfitiyes  of  the  people  j 

9  ‘‘  /  we  .  '  ■  ft  Is 

V  of  the  Methodift  Epifcopal  Church:  andthe 
i 'Ovei  »t  is  .  Irijl  r  ■  c i[.  Y  >  i  /  { ( 

rt  me  a  i  er-c  ck.” 
eo  This  Ibeech  elTcdibcd  many  minds,  !]  :  ■ 


r 

L 


.33'  ] 

caufe  they  juftly  expedfed.  the  affairs  of  die 
council  to  have  come  before  them;  that  be  inn;, 
the  bull  fiefs  for  which  they  were  called  toge¬ 
ther.  e 

i  [  Some, of  the  members  at  fundry  times 
would  -interrogate  the  prefide'rit,  -  after  this 


m  .inner;  , 

ii  .  But  where' is  the  council  affairs,  &c? 
That  being  the  caufe  of  this  meeting;. 

1 3  .Thomas  w.oujdarife  and  warrnly  opppfe, 
and  demand  lilencc  on  the  fubjecl:  And  h* 
lenqe.it  was. 

1 4  In  our.  debates,  if  at  any  time  we  were 
led  to  fpeak  of  the  conduct  of  Francis,  hp 
would  leave  the  houfe.  ... 

15  The  debates  of  the  Synod  turned-  chief¬ 
ly  oil  epifcbpal  dignity. 

•  1 5  The  Virginians,  for  a  while  did  diftiri- 
guifh  themfclves  in  defending  their  ecclefiaf- 
ticai  liberties t.  but  they  fainted  in.  the  druggie, 

17  .Richard  Ivey,  exceeded  himfclf,.  be. 
Spake  with  tears,  and  in  the  fear  of  God,  and 
much  to  the  purpofe ;  crying  'popery,  dec. 

1  8  If  at  any  time  a  minMler  would. move  to 
-abridge  (in  any  degree)  the  bilhop’s  pcwer?  ; 

19  The  defenders  .of  that  faith,  would  not 
only  opp  ole  tfo|  .  tot  ion,  but  would  charge  the 
member  with  fometh’iug  like  treafpn,  .  t 


were.  .- 

ao  We  ft  ill  o  npiained  heavily  of  fuch  if~ 
legal  '  cal  ttiohs.  Tf  '  cry.  wasi 
“  livery; general  conference  is  pofieffed  of' a 
1  to  form' tl  r  own  prelirnin  rics.T 
C 


[  34  1 


2 1  Thus  we  Ice,  the  government  is  fubjeft  } 
to  perperual  innovations.  j. 


CHAP.  XIV.  J  •  \ 

The  fame  continued.  .*■  ij 

IT  would  have  been  an  unfpeakable blefllng"  t 
to  the  Methodic  church,  if  we  had  been  f 
allowed  to  have  done  thebufinels  for  which  ‘  v 
we  inetj  ,  v  -  •  • 


2  Bccaufe  it  would  have  neccflarily  led  us 
into  the  very  merit  of  the  caufe,  or  a  full  in- 
vcftigation  of  church-government. 

3  I  began  to  fee  that  equity  and  gofpel  fim-  , 
plicity  would  be  obliged  to  retreat*  for  power 
and  policy  would  overcome  the  minority. 

*■*  4  I  feared  the  minifters  were  carried  away 
by  an  adventurous  leader. 

$  I  then  arofe,  and  flood  before  the  aflem- 
“b3y;with  the  New  Teftament  of  our  Lord  Je- 
’fu«,  ift  my  hand, 

6  And  fpake  after  this  manner;  Brethren, 
"hearken  unto  me,  put  away  all  other  books,  j, 
and'forms,  and  let  this  be  the  only  criterion ,  ! 
vand  ,c  that  will  fatisfy  me."  ,  -  .  1  >  ' 

.  7  I  thought  the  miniflers  of  Chrift,  would  j 

‘unanimoufiy  agree  to  fuch  a  propofal.  But  j, 
'  alas,  they  oppofed  the  motion  i  -  JJ 

8  A  terrain  member  whole  name  was  John* 
withftood  me,  and  fjpake  after  this  manner; 
The  feripture  is  by  no  means  a  fufiacient  form 
of  government. '  Compare  page  4*  j-  EL-  '  ; 

"  9  I  he  Lord  has  left  that  buflnefs  for  hi 
miuificrsto  do,  Suitablero  times  and  place?/*  j 


[  35  3 


See.  I  withftood  him  for  a  leafon,but  in  vain ; 
the  motion  was  loft. 

10  I  now  faw,  that  moderate  Epifcopacy 
was  riling  to  its  wanted  and  intended  dignity, 

1  difeovered  alfo,  that  diftridts  had  loft  their 
fuffrage.  • 

11  1  confidered  that  the  ftatiens  of  the 
Lord’s  minifters  refted  entirely  with  Francis j 
fo,  that  Unlefs  that  abfolute  power  could  be 
abridged,  the  beft  of  men  might  ever  be  in» 
jured,  and  run  out  of  the  connexion. 

12  1  now  moved  again,  after  this  manner? 
Let  a  preacher  who  thinks  himfelf  injured  in ' 
his  appointment,  have  an  appeal  to  thedtf- 
trick  conference.  * 

13  The  motion  was  feconded,  and  warmly  : 
debated.  William  M’Kendre,  with  feverai 
more,  did,  with  holy  zeal  ftrive  with  me  for 


1 4  Conference  adjourned  till  the  feconddaf 
of  the  next  week :  at  which  time  they  reawim* 
ed  the  debate  with  double  vigour*  " 

.  15,  Some  profeffed  fears,  .that  if  an  appeal 
Was  allowed,  it  would  refleX  on  the  wifdom, 
and  goodnefs  of  the  bilhop,  &c.  •<  x  ~  c 

16  Others  faw,  or  thought  they  faw,  that  ; 
fuch  liberty  would  be  injurious  to  the  church* 
becaule  preachers  would  ever  be  appealing  ! 

1 7  And  they  would  take  each  others  parts 

fo  that  eafy  and  wealthy  circuits,  would  -be 
crowded  with  preachers,  while  poor  circuits 
Would  be  left  delolatc.  1 


2S  Heavy  reflexions  on  the  conference* 

■  : - j  -.v-jf. , ;  •.  ;  .  :  T.  ' 

U*.  .y,.,  ..  •  -  .JX.  e  *  *  if','  '  ■*  v*  ''  '  •  ■/  ■  S*  '  ■r> 


C  36  J 

had  any'ofhcr  people  faid  as  much,  it  would 
have  been  though:  hard  perfection.  Was 
this  ignorance,  or  policy? 

_  ig  It  was  urged  by  feveral,  that  thebifhop 
always  appointed  well-, 'as  far'aj  they  knew. 
I  prayed  them  not  to  arrogate  infalibility  td 
the .bilhop 

’  ..  20  .  For  in  ir.y  judgment,  he  made' many 
very  injudicious  appointments. 

.  chap;  xv. 

•  b:  - .  . . Sme  fabjc ft' continued. 

arole  an.  h  Icier  and  lpakc  after  this 
X  manner;  “  Where  is  the  man  that  will 
iay,  the  hiihop  ever  injured  a' preacher? 
ik  2  The  interrogative  was  repeated,'  and  at 
Jaft.a  .young, man  wbofc  napae  \yas  Ricb.  af- 
lured  t ne* conference  that  Me  had  known  two 
wireayhcrS'  who- were  injured  by  him:  as  he 
thdt!ghr;.  1  : 

3  Theh.rqenibers  arofc,  out  of  due  order, 
a  s  n  1  e  n .  a  ]  a  rm  e  c4 !  A  s  r  h  o  u  g  h  r  re  a  fo  nha  d  bee  11 
heard; (Jbedv'ery  cry'  was,  “  He  has  im¬ 
peached  the  bifliop.”  , 

,  7).  .The. worthy  minifter  .’ arofe,  and  afked 
pardon,, (fop /peaking  the  truth?)  in  a! much 
.sus  he  did  nppintend  ltVs/ah  impeachment. 

i  b  came  to  pafs  oh  the  morrow,;  co;f- 
Terencc  met  purfuarit’  to  adjournment,'1  and 
.  revived  the. former 'difpute.  '  , 

6  *  The  appellants  appeared  to  difplay  id- 
, vincible  courage;  .and,  in  .a  Ch'riftiab  fpivit- 
(they)*  'ft ill  op  poled  the'  opprdfive*  YfteafhrcS, 


r 


C  37'  l 

whereby  thebifhop,  or  his  deputy  might  ba-- 
nifh  a  minifter,  or  expel  him. iron*  concbtion. 

7  For,  if  a  m  mill  cr  fhould  re  fu  fe  to  take  a’ 
Ration,  cyci\  in  the  Brin  In  iflands,  he  in  u  [1* 
be  neglected.  having  ho  fiati-on ;  and  hand' as 
a  cypher,  with  a  wounded  charader. 

8  One  arofe  and  held  forth  after  this  man-' 
ncr;  This  may  fatisfy  thofc  who1  d  elf  re  an  ap- 

'  peal,  that  is,  “  they  may  appe.il  to  the  genera}'* 
conference."  -  - 

’*  9  My  anfwer  to  this  illogical  proportion,' 
was  after  this  manner;.  Shall  a- preacher  whr? 
is  injured  thus  year,  then,  alter  palling  through 
Iris  did  re  fs,  ('i  f  not  death) 

10  At  the  expiration  of  four  years  appeal  ? 

For  w, hat?  "for  Vengeance?  The  mifchief  is 
done.  * 

1 1  Moreover,  what  happened  the  lafieven-i 

ing  has  not  efcaped  my  memory  ;  a  worthy 
character  had  to  nfk  pardon  for  declaring  tht? 
truth  when  allied !  1  J  " 

i  2'  However,  to  come  tothe  point  at  once* 
if  you  defire  any  farther  teftimony  relative  td 
the  bilhop's  injuring  any  one,'  <V1  auj  tile  hnart, 

•  he  has  injured."  -  -  -b-Pi  J;:  :n\i 
13  There  followed  a-  profound- fiicnc-?/ » 
few  lighs,  but  no  rcply.^  Had  there  been  aiiglfi 
.againfi:  me,  then  was  c he  time  to  have -tried  foe, 


V.lien  I  iaid  m'yfeifat  their  own  judgment  Id 
'  ’  "  54  A  little  after  the  gbih^:do\viv ofUpe 
•com  lence .adjourned  to  the  Dutch  -chutatP^ 
;  v/hete  fire  Ton:'  di  fpurc  \va% *  findmed ■ 

£  die  u  CS  nr,  ax 


[  38  ] 

15  The  debates  were  more  powerful  than 
ever,  yet  with  a  deal  of  Chriftian  moderation. 

I  was  entirely  (llent. 

i  6  Hope  Hull,  a  worthy  Elder,  founded  a 
proper  alarm!  He  exceeded  himfelf  by  far :  I 
could  w'iih  his  words  were  written  in  a  book. 

17  He  Ipake  after  this  manner ;  O  Hea- 
vens!  Are  we  not  Americans!  Did  not  our 
fathers  bleed  to  free  their  Ions  from  the  Brit- 
ifh  yoke  ?  and  fhall  we  be  flaves  to  ecclefiafti- 
cal  oppreffion  ? 

1  8  He  lift  up  His  voice,  and  cried,  "  What, 
no  appeal  for  an  injured  brother?  Are  thefe 
things  fo?  Am  I  in  my  fenfes?” 

19  Idenry  arofe,  and  displayed  his  political 
abilities,  exclaiming  againll  a  balance  of 
power;  with  an  eflay  on  church- hiflory. 

20  Stephen  Davis,  in  whr.m  was  the  fpirit 
of  wifdom,  withflood  the  celebrated  Henry, 
alluring  of  us,  that  the  lafl  arguments  were  • 
badly  founded.  We  are  far  gone  into  PO¬ 
PERY  !" 

21  Quickly  after  this,  the  votes  were  ta¬ 
ken  ;  ah  laral  hour,  the  motion  was  loft;  and 
out  of  an  hundred,  and  more,  we  had  a  fmall 
minority. 

22  Some  withdrew  from  that  hour,  revolv¬ 
ing  to  enjoy  their  liberties  at  the  expence  of 
fcciety  :  and  hold  Eft  faith,  and  a  good  cen- 

icience. 

.  23  Will  not  the fe  words  cau At  the  ears  cf 
an  American  to  tingle.  '‘'Shall  ah  injured 
rr>?n  have  ?.n  appeal?  ho!” 


C  39  3 

CHAP.  xvr. 

Some  left  conference ,  and.  no  mere  returned — Their 
dijlrefs  of  Soul — A  committee  fill,  &c. 

iT  was  furely  a  very  fatal  hour  of  papal  dark- 
nefs,  in  which  a  law  palled,  that  an  injured 
brother  and  minificr  in  the  church  of  Chinfc, 
fhould  have  no  redrefsl 

2  Men  may  make  a  thoufartd  turns,  yet  the 
declaration  remains  a  folemn  truth ;  which 
gave  birtji  a  feperation !  .  • 

3  After  conference  adjourned,  I  difeo  -ered 
my  wo rthy  iriend  and  loving  brother  Woods, 
t  ,v  Handing  at  my  fide,  waiting  to  conduct  me, 
p  I '  and  my  few  true  brethren,  through  the  dark 
to  his  houfe.  ~  , 

4  There  were  we  tenderly  received;  and 
j  refrefhed.  The  Lord  remember  him  in  mer¬ 
cy;  and  his  worthy  Chrijlian  L idyt  whofe 
name  is  Mary:  whom  i  dearly  love  in  tnff. 
L  Lord.  * 

5  Sould  they,  hereafter  rejedt  and  difpif^ 
;  me,  I  hope  forever  to  love  and  efleern  them 
;  both.  ■  v  ' 

I  \  6  1  fpertt  great  part  of  that  night  in  groans, 

and  tears!  On  the  morrow  I  impinged  ihb 
- 1  Cod  of  heaven  to  give  me  underffrnding.  .L 
confuked  my  friends,  and  in  the  fear  of  God^ 
rcfolvcd  nor  to  return  to  conference.  0 
Dorr,  Dorr."  .  .. 

7  Future  events  were  hid  from  me,  I  had 
c-nly  to  look  to  God,  and  walk  by  faith,  ‘  ‘ 

.  ' i  I  wrote  to  the  fyr.od  a  meurnful  farewell, 
"•  v  ,  .  •'  . 


faying, \'ou.  now  have  the  overflowing  of  a 
fell  heart.”  Adieu. 

9  I  was  informed  my  letter  wa?  read  in 
conference,  againfl  the  will  of  the  little  p;e- 

^  fident:  "many  tears  were  fhed,  &c. 

10  Several  preachers  were  in  that  aflembly 
who  had  been  brought  home  by  my  miniflryg 

-  under  God.  They  kpew  I  had  been  a  father, 

I  and  teacher  to  them. 

i  ill  ft  ill  Hayed  at  my  lodging,  and  it  came 

]  to  pafs,  they,  lent  a  committed  to  treat  with 
me.  v  .  . 

I  *  12  I  took  them  into  my  room,  and  we  con¬ 
verged  freely,  and  lovingiy.  Although  they 
could  nor  defend  the  government,  nor  the 
^onduft  of  the  prefident,  yet  they  thought  it 
hdvifableto  fubmit. 

13  We  kneeled  down  and  prayed,  and  our 
prayers  ’were  immediatiely  anfwered.  We 
parted  in  love  and  tears. 

14  .  They  reported  in  conference  (if  I  was- 
rightly  informed)  that  they  bedieved  God  was 
with  me,  and  that  I  was  aiming  at  his  glory.' 

i  5  Thomas  was  much  difpleafed,  arofe  and' 
fpake  after  the  following  manner  ;  . 

/  16  I  am  (faid  he)  I  am  obliged  to  extend' 

charity  towards  O’Kelly  and  others : ‘,,They 
have  done' violence  to  their  public  ftithy  be-* 
caufc  they- prom: fed  to*  abide  by  „the  dccifioif 
of  this  conference!  .  h  *  '  1 

17'  One  arcle  and  declared  that  thektiTcr- 
tion  was  entirely  wrong.  •  Then  arofe  TlrornW 
in  ■great*.  vVarnirh,  amd 'bound  'it  whit  zn'ejjir- 


[  4i  i 

nation,  in  the  following  manner:  He  lift  ud 
his  hand — I  fuppofe  to  heaven, 

j  S  And  offered  to  flake  his  falvation,  o'n\ 
pain  of  damnation,  to  the  truth  of  his  afler-1 
tion  :  Cr  nearly  fo. 

CHAP.  XVII. 

Thomas  is  called  upon  to  sn  ve  faiisf action  to  his  in*.  j 
jurat  Brethren— A  meeting  is  appointed  on  the- 
eccafion — Thomas  afks  par  dm, 

"A  MEMBER  of  the  conference  came  to  niy 
4  \  lodging,  and  gave  account  of  the  con- 
dijifl  of  ‘i  homas  and  that  my  character,  and 
others  were  thereby  injured.  : 

1  I  wrote  to  1  homas,  after  this  mannerly 
O  fir,  reverfe  the  cafe:  It  was  thyfelf  tha& 
a  fled  thus.  ’Tis  you  that  "betrayed  thy  truft. 
to  me  and  others. 

2  You  know  this  conference  whs  called  tot 

invefligate  the  new  infliturioh,  and  to'  exa¬ 
mine  into  paft  condufl :  and  our  caufe  at  this 
court  of  appeal,  is  not  fuffered  to  come  for¬ 
ward.  •  •  :■  U  y  : 

4  The  flander  is  fo  public,  I  ear.neftly  dew. 
Are  Chrifiian  fatisfaftion.  .  s 

’  5  The  anfwer  I  received  was  after  this 
manner;  If  you  and  the  Virginia  preachers' 
•will  only  ;neet  me  this  night  about  the  light- 
mg  c-fa  •c  andle,  i  vvilhgive  you  farisfaflioh* 

6  We  ific-t  him  at  the  time  and  place,  teeft 
a  VoTht  id  oi: r:ti vesy rand  ’there  v.c  vvithflood 
him  to  the  face.  "•  '•  •  ■> 

■7  I  rcdiurrll'd  h:r  fbrtr.er  cr.gahcrntnts  with 


r  42  3 


4 


tie,  and  others;  and  I  confidered  fuch  treat-' 
P  ment,  exceeding  cruel.  Stephen  D.  not  only- 
charged  him  ot  being  guilty  of  fah'eafTertiens, 
but  “  vulgar  fwearing/*  I  was  grieved  at  the 
hard  fpeech.  The  Dr.  appeared  very  calm. 

3  The  little  man  confeiled  his  fins,  charg- 
ing  himfelf  with  “  falfe  zeal and  in  a  very, 
gentle  manner,  alkcd  pardon  ten  thoufand 
time*/'.  .  V 

9  After  thele  things,  it  was  afked  (in  pri¬ 
vate)  on  what  terms  I  would  return.  I  an¬ 
swered  after  this  manner;  / 

/(„  10  In  my  diffrefs — for  peace  fake,  only  let 
an  injured  man  have  an  appeal,  .and  I  will  re¬ 
turn.  He  anfwered  and  faid  unto  me,  “  That 
cannot  be  granted." 

II  On  farther  confideration  I  condemned 
my  conduct,  in  that  I  offered  to  return  on 
fuch  flender  terms:  For  I  knew  the  govern¬ 
ment  to  be  deftitute  of  feripture  authority. 
i  12  But  fuch  was  my  weaknefs,  not  know¬ 
ing  at  that  time  what  to, do.  r  , 

13  I  then  left  the  place  with  a  few  friends;- 
viz.  JohnR.  Rice  H.  8cc.  f  / 

S  .14  John  afked  me  what  I  thought  of  doing:. 
My  anfvvcr  was;  I  muff  preach  the  geipei, 
wherever  a  door  is  opened,  &c.  “  But"!  have 

cq  intention  of  a  lepararc  party/*  '  ■  •  - 

15  My  brother  anfwered  and  faid,  fuppo.fc, 
fouls  arc  converted  to  God,,  through  you r- in. 


1 1 


i\ 


ficttmentjlity,  and  they  alk your  advice,  what 
'  Count'd  will  vou  give?  '  /•'?  - 


Cou 


;  I  a;::.,  aresi  him  agairt ,  aftcrihis ‘zszz-  . 


[  3 

r.er ;  perhaps,  I  fiiould  advife  to  join  the  Me- 
thodifts,  rather  than  live  out  of  iociety.  ' 

17  Alas  faid  he,  will  you  advife  others  to 
fubfcribe  to  a  government  that  you  believe  ift 
quite  deftiture  of  Divine  Authority?  I  knevr 
not  what  to  anfwer.  V  "  ;  \  -  ‘ 

CH\P.  XVIII.  f 

O' Kelly  returns  batne — Meffe tigers  are  fetU  after* 
bimt&c.  •  ' . * 

INDULGENT  Heaven  protefled  me  home,1 
and  the  teftimony  of  a  good  conference 
iupported  my  troubled  mind.  J  fet  my  heart 
to  leek  God,  and  to  live  one  day  at  a  time, 
as  if  never  to  lee  another.  ~  ‘  *  “ 

2  In  the  courle  a  few  days,  thefe  came 
mellengers  from  Francis  to  me,  to  let  me  un¬ 
derhand  his  forrow,  in  the  **  lofs  of  his  right 
eye,  right  hand,  and  righrfooc:”  r:  **: * 

3  Moreover,  .1  was  to  have  free  accefs  to  . 
their  pulpits,  and  the  fum  of  40  annually  ; 
feecaufe  I  had  fuffered  io  much  lor  thecaufe 
of  truth  and  liberty.”  >  /  \. 

,  4  I  accepred  the  former,  but  not  the  lattetv* 

!  went  out  again  preaching  the  everlaltrhg/i: 
gofpeL'c  .  ,  : 

5  Here  wedifeover  the  unfcripturaldt^qe|^ 
of  power  ever  the 'people  If  Francis 
giant  to  any  mmilfcr  to  preach,  and  admlXrr. 
juliler  among  them,  their  dobrsmaft  be  opehi’ 

6  Then,  if  Francis  fends  his  authority  to 


Thut  the  -uoors  agairdi  1! 


Lu  f1.  rp.-j  T1 


is 


farhe  mimfteH  ; 
‘  *  t  h  *  btrr,  t  r  the 


‘  [  44-  ]| 

3 .  7  And  it  came  to  pals  in  thofc  days,  (in  my 
travel)  L  met  with  a  present  of.^.  iov  fept  me 
front  Francis.  -  ' 

8  With  the  advice  of  friends  I  receivedjhy 
and  gave  it  in  part  pay,  the  fame  day,  'forja; 
faddle  horfe:  It  I  remember  right. 

9  Bat  behold  the  preacher  who  paid  me  the 

money,  according  to  order,  and  took  my  re¬ 
ceipt,  took  the  advantage  of  me,  and  pub- 
lilted  abroad,  that  I  received  Tupport  from 
them.  D.  S— J.,  ‘j  ‘  ' 

10  Alter  thefe  things  I  by  ppe  of 

their  Elders,  who  blamed  me  for  leading  the 

'  people  into  the  nature  of  church  government; 
whereas,  they  had  no  bufinefs  with  fuch 
knowledge;  -r 

i  i  He  added  the  money  received  alfo.  I  . 
knew  if  I  had  my  due,  1  ought  to  have  had 
ten  times  as  much.  However,  J[  was  willing 
do  replace  it.  I  -  ■ 

12  Surely,  continued  t,  you  did  not  in¬ 
tend  it  as  hufli  money.’'.  ’The people  will  afk, 
and  1  (hall  teach,  &c./  %  .  ^  7 

Ii  3  I  was  quickly  {hut  out  ofdoors;  none, to 
publiih  my  appointments,  the  people  warned 
againft  hearing  me  preach  the  gofpeh  ,  /  . 

✓  .  14  -  Tnis  acl  of,  cruelty  did  not  fatisfy  die 
yage  of,  falfe  zeal,  but  they  fell  uponmy  cha- 
^a^ter.even  to  cruel  reproaches . '  They  picked  . 
£13  and  retailed,  things  they  cannot  prove.  • 

125  The  aggrieved  members  in  Charlotte 
county,  .-had  i\vp  ''meetings' ‘oh  the  bceafion*; 

.  they  llrovc  for  union,*"  with  fome  ahjcr.dnvcritJ ; 

~  i . .  *•  --  '  C..4f 


.ft-—.  .I. mill  <1.1. ■ 


.  •  t  1  45  ] 

and  although  -they  Sent  two  "men  over  the 
great  mountains,  to  petition  Francis,  ye  tall 
their' efforts  were  in -vain.  Witnefs  John 
Chap^eband'E.  Almonds.  ■ 

1 6  My felf,  and  others  drew  up  a  very  hum¬ 

ble  petition,  pointing  out  a  few  of  the  evil* 
we  law  in  the  government,  and  prayed  cfor 
union.  But  the  people  weie  forbid  to  fignr 
on  pain  of  expulfion.  t  m  '  ;  r 

17  It  was  inged  by  tome,  that  there  was  ntr 

law  in  the%dok  of  discipline  again!!  the  figoi- 
"ing  a  petition..  .  '  .  •  -  k  1  .  ;  *, 

18  ButthelfW  was  produced  in  the  We 
Book  of  discipline,  page  58.  Becaufe  it-ao 
faounted  to  the  fowing  of  difeord.  &c.  Thus 
our  petitions  fell  though.  -  The  preachersidfifc 
fired  all  who  were  d]  Satisfied  with  rtheirago-,. 
'vernmentp  to  w  go  out.”  Such  furprifi ng'naea- * 
fures  ”  their  own-deliberate  judgments 

condemn.”  *  \  $  kM  ?■ 

,  *  wive  2*  *. 

3s ifcr- 


.  ^  CHAP/ 

fTk  ^aggrieved  party  ft  ill  ftryve  for  unicn- 
.  ence  at  Piney- Grove —  Conference  at  'Majiakift 
fozvn;  &c.  -  -  .  •;  .  K;: 

AND  it  is  came  to  pafs  after  thefe  things. 
We  appoihtcd  a -cpMprence  at  Pipey-. 

4 Grove,  in  Chefterheid  county  /  to  confer  ’*p' 
The prefehf  diftfefs.  ?i  >1 '  -  v  | c  - d 
’•  2  We  met  according  to  appointment,- anjl- 
converted  on  the  fubjeiff  of  churchgovera- 
:thchtv  -AYcki'naniracufty  condemned  the  E-. 


C  4«-  ] 

pifcopal  government;  but  defired  union  with 
the  people.  •  , 

3  Aad  the  method  we  purfued  for  the  pur^-  ii 
pole,  was,  we  propofed'an  addrefs  to  the  bi*.  j: 
-fhop,  individually,  for  him  to  confider  our 
diftrefs,  and  give  us  to  meet  with  them,  on 
the  occafion.  ”  ,«• 

.  4  We  told  him,  we  only  requeued  that  the 

prefent  form  ot  government  might  be  exa- 
'mined,  and  tried  by  the  fcriptures,  and  a-* 
mended  according  to  the  holy  word. 

5  By  fo  doing,  we  heped  that  "  a  pctma- 

went  plan  for  union  might  be  eflablilhed :  As 
for  the  time,  we  would  cheerfully  wait.”  We  j1 

■elefted  men  to  carry  in  our  addrefs,  and  then  ? 

adjourned  until  December.  j 

6  And  it  came  to  pafs  in  thofe  days,  that 
-Francis  came  on  to  conference  in  Petcrfburg, 
where  he  met  with  our  addrefs. 

7  But  Francis  being  (as  he  calls  it)  a  "long 
beaded  Englifltmah,.”  and  feeing  the  requell 
fo  generous,  that  to  refufe  would  difgrace 
him;  and  to  comply  would  undo  hirr\. 

8  He  threw  it  into  chancery :  1  fay  into 

conference;  and  the  refult  was,  "  He  has  no 
power  to  call  a  meeting.”  Then  denied  he 
our  requefli  r  ' 

9  It  was  very  cruel  in  the  preachers,  fup-  -i: 
poling  Francis  had  not  power,  for  them  not  to  ! 
fuffer  it  to  be.  The  reader  will  need  no  inter-  ; ! 
preter  to  tell  the  meaning  of  fuch  conduct/  J 
it  can  fpeak — for  itfelf. 


r  47  ] 

about  the  15th  day  of  the  month,  we  met, 
purluant  to  adjournment,  at  Manakin  town, 
to  receive  the  anfwerfrom  Francis.  ' 

11  Our  friends  made  report  that  his  anfwef 
to  us  was,  “  1  have  no  power  to  call  fuch  a 
meeting  as  you  wilh,  therefore,  if  five  hun¬ 
dred  preachers  would  come  on  their  knees  be-. ;  - 
fore  me,  I  would  not  do  it.”  * 

j  2  The  anlwer  founded  incur  ears  like  the 
voice  of  Rehoboam.  Therefore  all  hope  of 
union  was  funk.  Nothing  remained  but  "  Ti> 
thy  unts  O  Ifrael.”  The  door  to  the  negoti¬ 
ation  was  (hut.  *  “  •  V  '  '-v 

13  Therefore,  a  feparation,  or  flavifh  futu  -j 

je&ion  was  unavoidable.  And  we  unani-  ^ 
moufiy  chofe  the  former.  *  *  -  -  ;«•  . 

14  We  formed  our  mini  fters  on  an  equality;  f 

gave  the  lay- members  a  balance  of  power  in  -A 

the  legiflature;  and  left  the  executive  bufineft  j 

in  the  church  colle&ively.  v  7  .  ^ 

15  But  fearing  we  fliould  err  again,  as  WC  i 

were  young  hands  in  thebufinefs,  we  refolved  ,  '  j 
to  eflablifh  nothing  we  had  done  before  an3-  pA 

ther  general  meeting.  So  adjourned  confer-  1, 

.  cnce.  ■  :  f  ••  :  .»  -  i 

16  And  as  we  had  received  letters  front  ■ 
below,  that  we  fbouldalfo  confider  their  cafe,.  5 
for  they  were  *f  as  fiieep  having  no  Ibepherdr"  "|j| 

17  Two  minifiers  were  appointed  to  vilit  ,  ^  ; 
thofe  brethren  below,  to  give  light  on  the.  g 
fubjedl,  either  by  way  of  public  dcbar&s,:v»r, 

in  private  conycrlation,*  then  to  take  the  fenfe;  | 
sf  the  people.  -  ?;  -  '  j  *-  ^ |  ; 


f  >*8  ] 

,  :8  This  was. done  according  to  order,  an4 

, about  one  thoufand  fouls  departed  from  the  ! 
iRKORsof  the  Methpdift  l£pilcopacy,  in  a  few  j 
"days. 

-CHAP.  XX.  j 

■  T.ke  Republicans  meet  in  Conference ,  in  the  county  '  i 
-  ..  cf  Surry,  j  Virginia. 

NOW  itcatre  topafs  in  the  eighth  month,  ‘  • 
on  the  fourth  day  of  the  month,  in  the 
year  of  Jefys  ChnftCij^^  the  Republicans 
niet  in  conference,  in  Surry  county. ..  ■ 

2  We  held  conference  with  open  doors,  that 
all  might  hear,  and  learn.  Ap.d  after  much  dif- 
Routing,  and  feyeral  refelutions  haying  palled, 

-  3  We  dilcovered  plainly,  the  minority  were  : 

much  diffatisfied;  ajjd  therefore  I  moved  that 
:the. whole  ihou Id  be  reconfidered,  that  all 
.might  he. agreed,  if  ppluble-  ’  «•  2  d  i 
;  .  4  And  it  was  fo,  that  a  committee  oifeven 
men  were  appointed  to  form  apian  of  govern¬ 
ment,  and  jay  it,  before  conference  the  next 

May.  .  |  ,  *  c  ; 

j  -  The  committee  met,  and  drove  hard  Jbr 
-union  of  leutjment^  and  although  we  fought 
itearneftly  with  tears,  yet  to  no  purpofe.-  ^  , 

i  r  6  At  length  it  was  propofed.that  \ve  Ihould 
.Jay  afide  every  manufeript,  and  take  the  word 
v  ’  -pf  God,  as. recorded  in  the  leriptures.  ,  r; 

3:  *  b'  7  And  it  was  right;  becaufe  the  primitive  «; 
-V  -church  had  no  government  behde  the  feri'p- 
•  tures,- as  wrote  by  the  Apoft  les.  >  | 

t  .  8  3ut  in  qrdertplcad  the  minds,  of  the  re- 
I'gious  to  the  law  and  the  tcRimony,  hayigg'  , 

*  .  i  , 

;  ...  *  .  •>  r  '  .  ' 


f  49  ] 

never  been  taught  to  fearch  the  fcriptures 
for  chuich  dilcipline;  •' 

9  We  drew  up  a  imall  fketch,  as  a  guide, 
.and  a  light  to  the  conneft ton,  nearly  on  this 
jyife,v  _ 

jo  We  learn  from  the  book  of  God,  that 
the  church  ,in  general,  includes  all  the  real 
Chriftian^  in  the  world.  Eph.  v.  23.  1.  Cor. 
3ui.  13, 14.  r  j  ,s?  * 

11  Any  number  ofchriftians  united  in Jove, 

having  Chrift  for  their  head,  and  center  of 
union,  conffitutes  a  church.  .  ,  -t^,.  >  t  ■ 

12  In  the  primitive  church,  were  twelve 

chofen  minifteis  whom  Chrilt  called  Apoftles: 
Luke  vr.  13.  ,The  fame  w  ere  jcholeq  witp* 
riefles.*  Adts  x.  41..  ;  ..  f- ? 

r  A  3  Thofe  men  were  ambafiadors,  and  pof«. 
/died  the  keys  of  the  kingdom,  even  the  Tjph- 
rjt  6f  truth,  which  ppened  to  them  the 
ries  of  'the  kingdom  of  God.  .  T,..  C 

,14.  Thercfpje,.  Chrift  fpakejh.them,  -shd 
"by  'them^  ^bus  were  they  fully  qualified,  an|l 
authoril-cdio  write  the  Iaft  will  and  tellameint 
of  ohr  Eord  and  Saviour  Jefus  ChriS.  v /  *  ^ 
15  Xherewere  Elders  in  the  church  Jbefide 
the  Apoftjes,' who  laboured  in. the  "word  and 
dodrinpV  Somebf thofe could  prophefy, fpeak 
■w ith  tongues,' interpret,"' dec.'  *  h % 

i£k  But  after  thofe  extraordinary  'mHItonsu 
'ries  ha|  run  their  race,  only  pne  order ofmi- 
.nifters  exifled  iii  the  church. '  ^.dsxx.  i %  n 


[  5°  1 

CHAP.  XXI. 

The  Committee  make  Report  to  Conference — The 
faying  pleafe  the  Multitude,  &c. 

AN L)  it  came  to  pafs  on  the  morrow,  when 
conference  had  met,  and  the  brethren 
all  prefent,  the  committee  made  report ;  and 
the  faying  pleafed  the  multitude. 

2  Indeed,  the  people  rejoiced  at  the  confo- 
lation,  and  gave  glory  to  God  foi  the  light 
received. 

3  Thus,  the  blefTcd  Jefus  was  proclaimed 
King,  and  Head ol  the  people;  without  one  dif- 
fentirg  voice. 

4  Cordially  renouncing  all  human  infiitu- 
tion  in  the  church,  as  being  a  fpecies  of  Po¬ 
pery,  and  not  fit  to  govern  fouls.  > 

5  Then  as  free  citizens  in  the  land  of  Co¬ 
lumbia,  and  fervants  of  the  great  King,  we 
proceeded  according  to  divine  order,  to  or- 
da<n  Elders.  , 

6  Thofe  preachers  who  were  eligible,  were 
fet  before  the  church,  and  the  holy  qualifica¬ 
tions,  as  laid  down  by  Paul,  were  read,  and 
explained  j  ' 

'  7  The  church  was  then  defired  to  fay,  if 

thofe  men  were  their  choice,  or  not.  Then 
-after  prayer,  we  proceeded  in  the  following 


manner;  , 

'  8  “In  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 

***  by  the  authority  of  the  Holy  Scripture?,  with 
”  the  approbation  of  the  church,  and  with  the 
“  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  Prefbetery, 

9  <*  y/e  fet  apart  this  our  brother,  to  the 


[  51  ]  ‘ 

"Holy  Order  and  Office  of  an  Elder,  in  the 
**  church  of  God:  In  the  name  of  the 
"  ther ,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Gboft — 
"Amen” 

10  Thus  the  difpifed  minority  began  to 
build  on  the  TRUE  BASIS,  our  fure  founda¬ 
tion.  ... 

it  We  \vere  much  delighted  to  find  that 
the  true  hierarchy,  or  primitive  church  goyern- 
4  mcnt,  which  came  down  from  heaven,  was  a 
republic,  Eph  n  12.  although  "  Chriftian* 
Church”  is  the  name. 

12  Yet  we  very  plainly  felt  the  lofs  of  uni¬ 
on  with  the  Epifcopalian  brethren.  The 

4  preachers  elpecialty,  were  much  irritated  j  as 
that  bitter  faying  publiihed  in  their  laft  mi¬ 
nutes  will  (hew.  ;/  V  ^  - 

13  The  words  are  Written  thus,  ,**.  A  .few 
“  indeed,  who  were  as  great  enemies  to  the, 
"civil  government  under  which  they  lived,  as 

r  "to  our  ditcipline,  have  left  us:  and  now 
**  we  have  not  a  jaring  firing  amongfi  us.’*.  >  : 

14  The  cruel  afiertion  above  written,  is  as 
deftitute  of  truth,  as  love.  We  took  it  into  * 
confideration  in  our  laft  conference,  and  it  was 
unanimoufly  anfwered  thus:  -..-l;.  an:  •' 

1  J5  “  It  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  this 
**  conference,  that  the  charge  is  unjuft,  and 
“cruel;  and  fo  far  as  it  applies  to  us—  - 
-  “  falfe.”  ■  %  .  ,  .  .  ,  - ' 

16  The  following  is  the  fubfiance  of  a  let¬ 
ter,  which,  I  think,  fully  anfwers  the  cruel 
•  flandcr*  -  1;.  ■  vf  , 


Y  f.'C 


*  C  5?  ] 

CHAP.  XXII.  •  ‘ 

Ju.Lfiar.cc  of  a  letter ,  from  a  Republican  Mi - 
nifier,  to  an  Ep f copal i an  Mtr.ijter. 

1)f.a!<  Sir, 

following  lines  are  addreffed  to  you, 

JL  forthe  purpoic  of  inveftigating  a  lubjeft, 
important  in  its  nature,  and  painfui  to  me  in 
its  effeft;  '  -  ’  t  'a  -  ■  * 

-  2  1  hat  there  has  bren  a  division  in  the  * 

-Mtthcdift  Church,  and  this  divilion  waspro-^. 
winced  by  the  defpotic  principles  of  govern-  « 
ment,  exifting  and  increafingin  that  church;  * 
-are  tad*  not  to  he  denied.  ’<  y  '  o  :*•  i  1 1 
~  3  T-hat  pacific  mea  fares  were  ufed  ihy  rhe 
aggrieved  party,  to  obtain  a  re- union,  is  a  Taft, 
-which  -  theiV  petitions,  and  addrelfes — doth-* 
abundantly  prove. 

V  4  When  thefe  fafts  came  fTrft  to  my  view, 

3  rifed  all  thecaridour,  nod  difeernment  I  pof- 
^effed.  an  theinveftigation  ofthe  fubjeft.  .T*  ’  . 
Y.o*  And  truth  obliged  me  to  believe  that  the 
complaints  were  juft  Arid  that  the  caufe  pf 
^Tie'efavTfon'was  lufticienf  to  juftify  the  tfteft.- 
r>\  9  ‘’i^iis  fehtimenral  idivifion,  naturally  led 
into  3be‘drvifkm.  >'  For  the  doftrine  theft 
exhibited  to  us,  tvas,  **  Ifyou  are  di{fati.<juui—~ 
^g;t>V)Uft,h'Therefore,tmconditional  fubhniffton, 
for  depart  ion,  'were  the 'on  ty  alternatives.  *>'  '  ■ 
— Oricivcujd  have  thought,  as  we  could  not 
agree  together,  parting  might  have  ended  the  " 
-twit  alas,  we'h&ve  found  it  quite  o- 

tr A  * 

y.  For  no  Teener  had  we  turned  our  .backs. 


T.  53:  I 

I  than  a  flood  of  ahufe,  calumny,  any  cr.:rV 
j  flander  came  pouring  forth  afler  us  as:?/urr-> 
i  ous  flood  1  .  .  .  .  .f  r  •,  i. 

!  9  From  the  groundlefs  reports  that  fooar 

!  fpread,  and  increafed,  one  could  haidly  for - 
J  bear  thinking  that  a  lying  fpirlt  had  got  a- 
ij  inong  the  prophets.  0..! 

1  .  io  But  I  long  reflfied  the  thought,  ami 
j  drove  to  bJieve  that  thefe  reports  driginatpl 
/'  in  miftake,  an.d  not  in  wilful  jnifreprefenjta.  r 
I  tion.  /'■  :  "• : •  *  .v  \;*t 

1 1  But  the  moment  I  call  mine  eyes 
ij  that  vile  affertiondn  t tie  minutes  of  :y.<5«r  jkfr 
J  general  conference,  faying,  "  A  few  indeeslj 
!(  who  were  as  great  enemies  io  the  civil  govern*!  - 
i|.  ment  under  which  they  lived,  as  to  -our fdsk 
j  ciplihe,  have  left  us,  &c.'  ykir-s  ad  t'  * 

|  ;  12  1  was  {hocked  at  the  faying,  *, 

j  po(ed,  I  had  entertained  a  better  ctpioiosi  of 
;  the  members  of.  your  conference .ithaa  jL&ctt 
'  were  defending  of> 

t  *3  And  you  fir,'  being  n  ^mttpfosfa  of  riaaf, 
confetence,  1  view  you*  as  having  a  isaad[ia 
.  that  infamous  flancldriy  fed''  d'>' dv?  fd  chisel  _/ 

14  And  .now  .you  are  pleaflid-t<d;<v§er^  ' 
better  apology  rhanv41rf  tficrap  fits  in  carpet  ■%. 
ibem  wear.  itd'  :  ^  ::■!  ?V  Vfr  *ri  >339  -  v 

.  15  On  which  I  would  remaTk^^hat; 
perfidious  irtiinuarion  it; falies  tihe  nap,  ks feu 
lam  pie  a  fed  to  call  it,  do  ce  amp  iic;  afoai  -tiefctipk  . 

tive  ofour  characteisf  bui.ms-.anmceqimvetwai  '  - 
dejigti  toflander  us.':  r.  mb&'iil 

o  16  -And.  as  .you  are  p.ldhfed;i:b,imi&c f. 

■  -  j  -'I 


I, 


[  54.  ] 

vil  government  under  which  we  live,  a  part 
of  the  controverfy  be  tween  us,  1  will  herepre- 
fent  you  with  a  few  oblervations  on  that  fub- 

•  -  i  1 

CHAP.  XXIIT. 

7 be  Letter  continued.  1 1 

I  WOULD  in  the  firft  place,  afk  if  you 
know  what  kind  of  government  we  live  un-  | 
dei?  and  how  it  was  obtained  ? 

2  Wtfley,  in  his  circular  letter  obferves,  it 
that  we  are  partly  governed  by  Congrefs  and  , 
partly  by  the  Provincial  Aflcmblies.  | 

1  3  This  is  a  trmh,  w  hich  naturally  leads  the  |jj 
mind  to  inquire  how  thefe  legiflative  bodies  I 
are  raifed,  and  from  what  fource  their  autho¬ 
rity  is  derived, 

4  The  anfwer  to  thefe  interrogatives  is  ea- 
fy:  They  are  railed  by  delegation,  and  derive 
their  legiflative  authority  from  the  lovereign- 
ty  of  the  people:  Tow'hom  they  are  confhtu- 
tionally  bound,  i 

5  Such  a  government  by  reprefentation,  is 
a  government  out  of  fociety  $  and  the  confti- 
tution  by  which  the  legiflators  are  bound  to 
the  people — fpeaketh  on  this  wife; 

6  The  legiflative,  the  judicial,  and  the  ex-  | 
ecutive  departments  of  the  government  fhall 
be  feparate  and  diftind.  ;  >  ,  ,■ 

7  With  this  view  of  our  civil  government, 

I  demand  of  you,  to  point  out  that  part  of  our  i 
condudlto  which  you  alluded,  when  you  pub- 
Jifhed  us  enemies  to  civil  government.  ! 

•:  v  -  S  One  might  be  led  to  think  from  reading 


r  js  ] 

that  fcntence  in  your  minutes  that  your  dilci- 
pline  was  fo  like  our  civil  government,  rhat  . 
whoever  oppolce  the  former,  mu  ft  be  an  ene¬ 
my  to  the  latter,  „  ' .  k 

9  Let  us  therefore  proceed  to  the  bufinefs 

of  comparing  them  together.  -  ,  -  , 

10  1  have  already  oblerved  that  the  civit 

government  is  by  reprefentation;  this  Is  grant¬ 
ed  by  your  general  conference.  .  > 

1 1  Our  rulers  there  mentioned,  are  not  on¬ 

ly  elected,  but  re-eledted ;  and  all,  from  the 
higheft  to  the  loweft  are  amenable  xo  the  peo* 
pie.  •  •  . 

7.2  Let  us  now  take  a  view  of  your  church 
government,  as  formed,  and  repeatedly  rc-  _ 
vifed  by  conference.  ,  ,  •  r  ,  j  1  i  ■  , 

J3  Here  we  find,  that  the  bi  Chops,  pre- 
fident-eldcrs,  elders,  deacons,  and  common 
preachers,  are  none  of  them  properly  the  de¬ 
legates  of  the  people;  but  they  are  the  rulers,; 

©1  the  church.  j  - 

14  You  w  ill  allow,  fir,  that  the  general  cpn-. 
ference  is  not  raifed  by  election  in  the  church! 

i  5  Neither  do  they  conftderthemfelvcs ac¬ 
countable  to  the  people,  becaufe  they  pot 
derive  their  legiflative .authority  therefrom.'  3 

16  indeed,  your  people  are  not  allowed  to 
complain,  nor  point  out  to  each  other  whaf  k 
they  believe  :o  be  defects  in  the  govern merrtri- 1 

17  For  this  brings  rhem  under  the  c2sara<;~ 

ter  of  being  diforderly  members,  who  ar4,.v, 
fowing  difeord*  -  1  • 

-  •  ■-k  -  -  L->~  — •  H  .... 


* 


1  ^  .5  i  ■ 


r  56  ] 

CHAP.  XXIV.  -  '  ' 

T’he  Letter  continued.  *.  •  ‘  ’  . 

HAVE  often  afked  who  the  preachers  1 
were  accountable  to  for  their  conduct,  the  j 
anlwer  was,  I o  God." 

2  from  thi'  I  infer,  that  they  (as  a  1  "gif—  j 

lature)  are  accountable  to  no  human  power:  |j 
and  if  fo,  no  human  creature  ought  to  truft  ji!j 
them-  '  •  • 

3  i  here  does  indeed  appear  a  kind  of  e!ec-  |j 
tion,  and  refponfibility  in  the  conference,  but 

,  what  is  that  to  the  people?  .c.  ...  I 

4  Wc  find  the  general  conference  compofed  j1 

only  of  travelling  preachers.  Therefore,  the  ;J 
members  of  the  church,  and  the  fettled  mi-  ’|'{ 
nillers  are  out  of  the  bufinefs.'  >  —  /'  :  \  : 

•'  5  The  election  that  appears  in  conference, 

is  a  thing  in  lliew,  and  not  in  reality.  ? 

-6  An  election  refpeds  two  things,;  firft.thQ 
choofing  of  members  intoche  bod)v  and  fe-i  t 
condlv,  the  choofing  officers  Out  of  that  body:*  ' 

7  ’Tis  abfurd  to  fuppofc  that  an  elepted 
body  have  a  right  to  elect  members  intoatfelf:  , 
And  this  is  rhe  only  fhew  of  election  tp  be  i 
found,  in  receiving  members  into  the  confers 
-encc.  .  t  -,f  . .  ^  'j./i  i».;  « v-  -  i  a 

<•8  And  even  in  this,  election,-,  the  ibifiiop  ■ 
holds  his  negative.  Which  negative  iieaifo  ) 
hath  in  the  choice  of  all  rhe  officers-:. 

-  9  Therefore,  there  is  3io  proper  dedietj*  in  5 
the  church ;  .nor  the  appearance  ofii  buCadia-tJ 
the  biftiop  hath  his  negative  upon..  jd£ptia:*5 
under  fuch  reftridons,  deferve  not  the  name. 


r  i 


10  Hie  GiVtrnors  of  the  Methodift  Fpifeoi 
i  •  pal  Church,  noc  only  come  into  office  without 

being  elected  by  the  fuffrage  ol  the  people, 

•  i  t  But  continue  in  office,  fo  long  as  they 
pleafe  to  walk  by  the  rules  themlelves  have 
made;  and  whenever  they  pleafe  to  change 
their. conduit,  they  can  change  their  laws.  * 

1 1  2  Thefe,  fir,  are  the  principles  of  your  con-; 
ffitution:  and  are  as  cffcntially  different  from 
the  principies-of  your  civil  government,  t 

13  As  agovernment  over  fociety,  is  differ¬ 
ent  from  a  government  out  of  fociety.  More¬ 
over,  there  appears  another  important  differ* 
encc  between  our  civil  government  and  yours? 
r  1 4  For  your  laws  of  difeipline,  are  not  only 
made  by  a  body  of  men  who  are  accountable 
to  no  body,  but  are  judged  and  executed  bj£ 
the  lame  hands. 

*  ^  5  1  he  legiftative,  judicial,  and  executive 

departmental  o'ur  civil  government^  are  fe>4 
pa  rate,  and  diffind.-  -  0 

6  Whereas  your  government  .is  fully  -coiW" 

•  folodaied,  becaufc  every  part  is  infeparably 
united  1  n  the  fame  bandsi '  .  r£  ’-u-  *.  tr 

ST'  1-}.  From  thefe  remarks,  it  muff  appear? 
that,  your  difeipline -is.  as  incompatible-  with 
our  'civil  government,  as  a  government  by 
■affiimpiion,  compared  to  that  by  reprefenta-J 

'  ftOjIi  ,  .',r'AL  ?■..  •  i.  V  ‘  . C.  .'l  l  -MA-TK: \’4:  il i  iiiS.'. 


irJ 


v  CHAP .  -XXVwdT&fe  \ 

The.  ■  Letter  tonljdutlk-'J  v>i 
Iff*  H  FR  \l  is  Smother  fubj  cct .  li  ill?  .thafcde- 
JL.' .fer-ves  .ferjous- thought? - jcery? 


t  s*.  V 

thought,  creates  fenlarion  in  mybreaH: 

2  1  hat  is  to  fay,  We  have  purchased  this 

liberty  government  by  reprefcnration,  at  no 
lefs  price  than  the  blood,  and  lives  of  thou- 
fands  !  • » .  -  '  • 

3  Some  of  whom  died  in  the  hofpital,  o- 
thers  on  the  road, — and  numbers  fell  in  the 
field  of  battle  with  the  Hnglifh ! 

4  What  lufferings  ol  body  apd  mind  they 

palled  through  before  the  awful  hour, — who 
can  defcn.be?  ;  . 

5  There  is  one  thing  of  importance  they 
have  done, for  us,  “  They  have  ficed  us  from  jj 
defpotic  negatives,  and  Bnnfh  tyranny:” 

And  have  left  us  lealed  with  iheirowa  | 
blood,  the  valuable  legacy  of  civil,  and  reli¬ 
gious  liberty.  A  libert)  guarded,  and  pre- 
lerved  by  reprefentation. 

'  7  And  this  is  the  government  the  general 
conference  are  pleafed  to  charge  us  with  being 
enemies  to.  Groundlefs  charge;  cruel  flan- 
der — the  very  offspring  of  your  ipurious  epif- 
copacy.  ‘  * 

8  The  leading  characters  in  this  grand  fy* 
nod,  are  Thomas  and  Francis.  The  one  from 
the  north  of  England,  fince'the  American  re¬ 
volution.  •  ' 

-  9  The  other  (Francis)  came  over  from  the 
land  of  Monarchy,  before  the  revoluion.  And 
1  believe  are  both  Britifh  lubjcds  (in  their 
hearts)  to  this  day.- 

-  10  What  excellency  is  there  to  be  found  in 
thole  ii) cn,  beyond^  others,  that  conference 


[  59  3 

jnuft  bend  to  their  caprice? 

11  Is  it  the  country  from  whence  they  have 
emigrated?  Oris  it  the  government  under 
which  they  were  educated?  Or  what  is  it,  that 
renders  them  fo  iilufirious  in  the  eye*  of  the 
conference? 

12  Can  it  be  the  principles  of  defpotifm 

they  have  brought  with  them?  Or  the  aibi* 
trary  manner  in  w  hich  they  have  been  known 
tocondutfl  the  bufinefs  of  government  in  the 
church  ?  •  r  vf  ,  r? ~ 

13  As  to  their  literature,  if  we  may  judge 

from  their  publications,  there  appears  no 
great  difplay  of  wifdom  therein.  ;  .p  ;  , 

\  14  Their  journals  are,  for  the  moft  part 
infipid.  They  are  partly  filled  wi^h  violent 
attack^on  perlonal,  and  public  characters.— 
Thefe  are  no  marks  of  learning.  *  .  i  ,  v  :*v. 

1 5  Their  kind  of  dif.ipiine,  may  (perhaps) 
anlwer  better  to  the  north,  of  this,  where  th<j» 
Britifh  armies  were  long  fufFered  to  plunder 
the  honeft  patriot*.,-. 

16  But  when  they  came1  to  exercife  their- 

felonious  practices  in  Virginia,  they  were  lent 
back  in  the  degraded  firuation  ofprifoners.  "I 
-  17  And  I  hope,  that  Britifh  policy  will  aU 
ways  meet  with  the  like  repulie  from  our  Vir¬ 
ginians,  that  Britifh  power  has  done,*  »  -p-.f 

18  Your  bifliop  A '/bury ,  has  complained  in 
my  hearing,  that  he  had  more.i rouble  in  go¬ 
verning  the  Virginians,  than  all  the  connexion 

J>ef*de.~  V  .  -f  -w  V  . 

13  It  not  our  luperior  wifdcrn,  nor  igp. 


[  6c  ] 

norance,  that  renders  us  fo ungovernable;  hutt 
our  invariable  determination  to  dand  fail  in 
our  civil  and  religious  liberties  <(  Wherein 
God  hath  drangely  made  us-frcc.”  J'1*  * 

?  ....  ",  .  •  •  44«  i'"  V  •  .  »  ■*' 

CHAP.  XXVI.  ,:t-:  .. 

■f  The  Conclufion  of  the  Letter.  ,  . 

WHATEVER  you  may  think  of  me,  my 
fpirit,  or  manner  of  writing,  is  a  mat¬ 
ter  of  indifference  with  me.  *  ^  ■  f  .. 

2  You  are  not  fituated  as  I  am,  and  cannot 
feel  1  do.  Only  put  yourfclf  where  I  Hand, 
chargeji  with  a  crime  of  the  deeped  die. 

3  A  crime  of  the  mod  enormous  magni? 

-  tede;  which  if  believed;  is  calculated  to  en- 
-  tail  infamy,  and  dilgraceon  poflerity  ! 

—  4  Bur,  why  am  1  thus  treated?  Is  it  be- 
caufe  1  oppofe  a  government  not  only  arhi— 
irar\ in  irs  piinciples,  but  vindicative  and  cru¬ 
el  in  its  operation.  .  :  : 

*  5  Which  cruelty  we  Ihould  feel*  were  we  -1 
not  fheltered  under  the  wing  of  that  govern*  • 
went  which  you  fay,  we  are  enemies  to.  r 
:  6  Oar  European  brethren  know,  as  the  Jews 
did,  that  it  is  not  lawful  for  them  to  inflict 
punifh-mcm;  ‘  '•  >  •.*  •*  i  - •-  k  r  * 

7  Therefore,  hope  to  influence  rhe  etvil 
rulers  againd  us  But  heaven  be  thanked, 
your  influence  with  them  is  but  weak.  -  <  i 
8  The  miniders  of  your  conference  may- 
flatter  themfelves,  and  like  the  0;hrk;hi  fup- 
•  pole  they  are  fufliciently  hid  from  publievaewj 
*£hen  onjy.  their  own -eye’s  are  covered* 


[  61  3 

^  But  our  judicious  men  can  fee  that  fel£* 

1  created  dignities,  fuch  your  biffiops  boaft  of, 
i  mu  ft  have  originated  in  pride  and  vain  glory] 

10  And  if  they  cannot  Iree  themfelves  front 
1  the  principles  of  their  education  (as  fome  no-* 
t  ble  Englilh  brethren  have)  they  had  better 

return  to  the  land  of  their  nativity,  where 
kings  and  bilhops  reign.  -  3 

11  Ah  no,  the  fecret  is,  .they  have  left  a 

land  of  cruelty,  where  they  were  governed* 
and  not  the  governors.  'They  had  to  feel  the 
tyranny  there,  they  wifh  to  inflid  here.  *  ■  ; 
‘  1 2  I  fhall  now  take  my  leave  of  you,  an<l 
until  you  are  more  careful  of  innocent  cha*. 
raders,  more  attentive  to  truth,  and  fhew 
more  refpedto  the  fa  ere  die  r  i  p  t  u  res -r 1  bid 
adieu.  '  T.  Hi^l 

173  1  would  add,  in  England,  fuch  epifeo- 
pal  dignity  hath  no  exigence.  The  pulpits 

'  of  the  epifcopal  churches  are  not  accei5fcdet<| 
fuch  men.  ,  '  ..rpvm;d  to > 

T4  Were  they  to  offer  to  exererfe  cpSTco^al 
authority  there,  the  HolySea  would  overflow) 
fend  they  would  be  retieded  on  as  impoft^rs. 
This  they  ib 

**'  *  -  - :v :  v.-;-  U3 

:*•>  f:;- jCHAP.XXVil^ 

The  Method! ft  E.  Canons  examined- — A  difeovery 
'made  that  they  are  not  founded  enftcf-iptxr-e,  i£c:* 

THERE  is  fome  good  to  be  found  in  that? 

book  of  laws;  but  the  canons, tor  lawS| 
are  what'Thave  at  this  time  to  confider.  1  ii 
b  2 ,1am.  told,  jihat.  the-preac^ers  fuve*frc<i 


I 


[  «*  ] 

quently  relieved  the  minds  of  their  people,  by 
reading  Wefley’s  old  general  rules  to  them. 

3  Whereas  thofe  rules,  are  no  more  the 
rules  of  the  Methodift  church  in  America, 
than  the  Britifh  government  is  the  civil  go¬ 
vernment  of  Columbia. 

4  The  Methodtfls  in  America,  are  govern- 

cd  by  a  bifhop,  and  elders;  whofe  laws  are 
made  at  Baltimore ;  altered,  and  fold  feven 
times.  : 

5  In  the  third  fr&ion  of  the  book  of  difei- 
pline,  for  the  year  1791,  there  ftands an  ac¬ 
count  of  the  origin  of  Methodift  Epifcopacy 
as  proceeding  from  John  IVrjley. 

6  And  every  body  knows  that  he  Was  only 
an  Elder  of  the  Epifcopal  Church  of  Eng¬ 
land.  .  :  *  ' 

7  Their  publications  fay,  that  Thomas 
brought  letters  of  Epifcopal  authority  from 
John  of  England,  by  which  authority,  Fran¬ 
cis  was  conftituted  bifhop. 

8  This  cannot  be  true,  as  the  circular  let¬ 
ter,  and  their  own  writings  can  teftify.  - 

9  The  fourth  fection  (if  I  remember  right) 
(hews  the  manner  of  electing,  and  ordaining 
imnifters. 

10  Both  fdripture  and  reafon  teach  us,  that 

people  Who  are  to  be  taught,  and  led  in  the 
ways  of  the  Lord  ought  to  have  a  voice  in 
the  choice  of  leaders,  overlookers,  or  fpiritu- 
al  guides.  ■  v .  ■> 

1 1  Paul  was  writing  to  the  churches  when 
he  faid,  “  Be  yc  followers  together  of  me,  and 


t  63  ]  , 

mark  them  that  walk  fo,  as  ye  have  us  for  an 
example.”  • 

12  And  the  election  in  conference  is  nuga- 
I  tory  /  becaufe  the  hifhop  can  negative  the 

ordination  of  him  who  is  elected  by  confer¬ 
ence.  .  - 

13  If  the  hifliOp  pleafe  to ofdain  the  preach¬ 
er  thus  eledted, — the  perlon  to  be  ordained, 
mud  firft  folemnly  promife  that  he  ever  Will 
be  ready  to  obey  the  godly  mandates  of  his  fit- 
periors. 

14  Thus  it  is,  that  the  minifies  of  that  or¬ 
der,  ad  in  a  (late  of  (ubordination. *  See  the 
place  of  ordination  in  the  Methodift  prayc*  ' 
book,  pap c  292. 

1 5  I  fhould  not  have  been  clear  of  this 

mine  oath,  in  difobeying  Francis,  only  as  I 
promifed  to  follow  his  *'  Godly  directions.” 
And  I  did  verily  behve  his  directions  were 
not  Godly.  .  -/.T  tSwik&t 

16  Each  minifter  previous  to  his  ordina¬ 

tion,  proftfreth  to  be  called  of  God  to  take 
upon  him  this  office;  ^  ?  ;  r  ' 

17  Nevcrthelels,  if  an  Eider  ceafeth  to  tra¬ 

vel,  without  con(ent,heis  forbid  to  act  in  the 
church  as  a  minifter — although  God  called  3 
him.''",  ••  -  •'  v.A- '■  "  *  '  -fC’cw 

18  Then  follows  a  barefaced  error:  Dea¬ 

cons  appear  to  be  choten  by  the  iuffrage  of 
the  conference,  whereas  they  ought  to  becho- 
fen  by  the  lay  members.’  V  .  “  v‘ 

•  19  Moreover,  deacons  in  the  primitive 
church  were  no  inferior  order  of  the  rniniflry, 

_  '  ♦  ,  ' 


\  #4 


[  %  ] 


but  fet  apart  for  temporal  bufinefs.  Ads  vt. 

20  “The  Prophets  prophecy  error,  by  which 
.means  the  pri eft  bear  rule;  and  my  people 
will  have  it  fo.” 


T 


CHAP.  XXVIII. 

Set me  Continued. 


H  E  feventh  fedion 


I  pafs  over,  (as  it 


treats  of  temporalities)  and  part  of  the 
eighth,  till  we  come  to  the  place  of  power  in 
the  fixth  quellion. 

2  The  power  fpeaketh  on  this  wife;  If 
-members  be  abfent  from  their  meeting  three 
times,  they  mult  be  tplked  to  on  the  occafion,* 

3  And  if  no  amendment,  the  rn.iru.0er  (nor 
.the  church)  fhall  expel  luch,  in  the  fociety. 
Then  the  rninillerihail  report,  that  fuch  were 
mot  expelled  (or  immoral  conduct,  “  But  breach 


of  our  rules. 


You  may  with  propriety  fay  “our rules,” 
aey  are  not  rules  of  .God’s  giving. 


4 

/or  they  arenot  rules  ot  Lrods  giving. 

.  j;  I  pafs  over  Lhofe  fedisns  which  treat  op  \ 
Tands,  &c.  till** We  come  to  the  place.of  the 
.great  College,  difuoguiflied  by  the  name  of 
Cokefbury.  V  .  .  - 

p  6  There  the  two  celebrated  names  were  (as 
it  were)  to  be  immortalized.  This" was  held 
forth  to  the  people  as  “.Q.ne -of  the  greateft: 
•^charities  in  the  world,.”.  9’ 

7  The  fons  of  minifters  were  to  be_edur 
bated  gratis:  this  would  greatly  relieve  their 
.widows.,  JBciidc,  filming  minifters  were  cx- 
^prded  to  come  forth  of  her. 


f  «£  J  ' 

1 8  Great  care  was  to  be  taken  of  the  ftudents 
with  regard  ro  their  morals  &  literature.  Andt 

;  in  order  to  give  full  fatisfadion  to  the  parents, 
ij  frauds  promifed  to  examine  into  their  //»- 
povcments  in  learning  from  time  to  time. 

19  While  he  himjelf  -vas  an  utter  ftranger  to 
a  tlalical  education  j  being  like  me — born  of 

j,  poor  parentage. 

I  20  However,  the  few  chariry-boys  were 
turned  out  of  lchool,  as  we  were  informed. 
Young  gentlemen  left  the  college,  for,  as  they 
j  fay,  inflead  of  “  Pies- and  Puddings,”  they 
tne t  with  poverty  and  oppreffion. 


CHAP.  XXIX 


'I  Reflexions  on  ihe  College , 

WE  were  ever  taught  to  believe  tha£ 
Cokefbury  was  the  property  of  the 
lj  people.*  But  I  afk  if  the  people  >vere  eyercon* 

Suited  \yith  regard  tp  its  corporation?  ;  *• 

2  I  never  did  approve  the  ftep,  becaufe  i 
thought  it  did  not  belong  to  our  prpyjnce* 

.  .  3  Moreover,  I  feared  it  originated  in  yam- 
glory,  and  lucrative  motives.  1  fay,  I  leare^jl 
-fod  ;  '  :  th  ‘  ••  -  '  !  .  if  4.  ‘ 

.j  • ;  4  When  the  religious  feelings  of  the  pep*  v 
i  pie  were  from  time  to;  time,  cogently  addrelT?  ' 

!  ed,  both  in  ppblic  and  private,  ._  •  l -f 

!  5  Todifplay  their  charity,  I  was ^bachwajd,  _  V. 
becaufe  of  unbelief.,  But;;  ,  /  .•  . 

N  6  Francis  informed  us  that  he  was  itl  dgn*  > 

1?  *  • 

.  y  »  .viiVi-  i,.;»  4.  *  - .  V  j, . .  *S  ^ 


gcr  of  imprilonment;  therefore  we  exerted 
our fe vies ! 

7  But  did  he  not  mock  us,  or  would  he 
have  left  us  and  gone  up  to  Mr.  Davis,  in 
Bedford,  and  engaged  £.  3000  towards  ano¬ 
ther  college  ? 

8  \\  hether  he  did  or  not,  I  am  nor  certain, 
But  I  had  caule  to  believe  it,  feeing  his  friends 
told  it:  however,  that  fell  through. 

9  Let  the  witnelfes,  biefled  with  Cokefbu- 
ry  charity.  Hand  forth,  and  tally  with  thofe 
repeated  large  fums  of  money  ? 

10  Then  let  the  flaming  minifler  appear* 
that  we  may  fee  how  the  connexion  is  bene¬ 
fited  by  the  operation. 

1 1  But  alas,  the  glory  of  Cokefbury  is  con- 
fumed  by  the  devouring  fire,  and  in  one  hour 
ruined!  ■■■■- 

■  12  Thofe  devouring  flames  purfued  the 

like  project  at  Baltimore,  where  the  fecond 
college,  the  bifbop’s  houfe,  with  the  houfe  of 
God  (report  fay)  were  confumed  ! 

13  Whether  thofe  lolTes  arc  occafioned  by 
the  malice  of  the  enemy,  or  directed  by  Di¬ 
vine  Providence,  I  dare  not  conjectures 

14  In  the  fiftieth,  and  few  following  fec- 
tions,  we  fee  the  abfolute  power  invelted  in' 
the  itinerant  preachers,  where  they  are  di¬ 
rected  to  expel  members;  Firft, 

15  For  w  hat  they  may  judge  immoral ;  and 
fecondly  for  breach  of  the  bifliop’s  rules* 

'  --Whoever  obferves  the  fac red  writings, 
find  divine  inftruCtion&in  Matt.  1 8.  1.  Ccr.  5, 


r  6r  3 

I.  Pet.  5,  &c.  mud  fee  that  none  of  thofe  fee- 
tions  are  founded  on  the  fcripture-gofpel  or¬ 
der.  Far  from  it.  « 

17  The  fifty- feventh  fe&ion  is  worthy  of 
attention,  but  it  does  not  confifl  of  laws,  but 
Hands  forth  as  a  wunefs  for  God,  and  juftly 
condemns  the  book  of  difciplinc. 

18  It  is  an  old  original  fedtion,  notefpifeo- 
pal.  It  fhall  fpeak  for  itfelf;  and  when  that 
is  done,  what  farther  witnefs  do  1  need? 

19  Thus  it  is  writen,  “  The  feriptu re  con¬ 
tains  all  things  neceflary  to  falvation  ; 

20  “  So  that  whatfoever  is  not  read  therein, 

or  may  be  proved  thereby,  is  not  to  be  re¬ 
quired  of  any  man.”  -tv 

21  The  impartial  eye  mult  fee,  that  the< 
form  of  government  which  I  have  refifted, 
is  defpodic,  not  free,-  human,  not  divine y 
changeable,  and  not  perminenr.  )•  •  . 

22  The  diftind  body  is  abfolutc;  the  pre¬ 
late  exercifcs  authority  as  fuperintending  bi- 
foop  over  all  the  concerns  of.  the  church* 

CH  AP.  XXX. 

An  impartial  inquiry  with  rcfpefl  to  thtfe  laws  in 

their  Difcipltne. ,  whereby  the  Bijhpp  may  be  re» 
i  .ft rifled — or  expelled ,  &c.  ■-<  --  ->•  . 

AS  all  the  laws  generally  originate  in  Fran¬ 
cis,  and  the  preachers  being  men  under 
authority,  therefore,  as  one  juftly  obferves, 
**  the  conference  is  not  free.”  ■  .  vr 

'2  Yet  they  form  an  abfolutc  body*  being 
reftrifted  by  r.o.  body*  ; ^  ,  v 


[  68  J 

3  'And  Francis,  by  power,  policy,  and  in¬ 
fluence,  has  fo  far  gained  the  afcendant  over 
conference,  that  they  appear  thus,  i  oo,  but 
remove  the  firft  figure  and  fee  what  remains. 

4  Should  the  preachers  lop  off  fome  of 
the  branches',  the  root  remains.  Should  the 
preachers  refufe  to  fubferibe  to  his  meafures, 

5  And  he  fhould  refufe  to  fubferibe  to  their 
refolufiorts,  fhould  they  then  fend  forth  to  the 
church  a  Ruh  Mcok,  nor  fi'gned  by  the  bifhop, 

6  What  authority  could  fuch  laws  bear  in 
the  epifcdpul  chttieh?  It  mu fl  be  condemned 
by  the  ihleridr  part  of  the  church,  as  a  book  of 
rcbellionj  elfd,  epifeOpacy  fiiuft  be  diflblved. 

7  ’Tis  written  that  the  bifttop  is  amenable 
to  fh'C  general  eohlefence  for  improper  con- 
dfiff.  Biit'  let  it  be  remembered,  that  the 
general  conference  ir.veft  him  with  power  to 
act  (as  bifhop)  in  all  things  over  the  connec- 
rioft,  as  he  thinks  beft-  -  : 

~  8  Now  I  afk  in  the  name  of  Common  fenfe,, 
how  that  body  cart,  In  any  legal  way,  punifh 
a  bifhop  for  acting  with  the  authority  which 
“*  that  body  invefled  him  with? 

:  9  Marty  Wordis  may  darken  counfel,  and 
blind  the  eyes.of  the  Ample*  but  the  truth 
remains  ftill.  O  that  God  may  open  the  eyes 
of  tlife  people; 

id  The  extraordinary  method  they  have  of 
bringing  a  bifhop  to  trial  for  wickednefs,  i.  e. 
immoral ,  conduit,  is  impracticable ;  and  I 
think  ridiculous;-  * 

1 1  In  the  firft  place,  three  travelling  eiders 


[  h  ] 

jmp  ,f  verify  believe  him  guilty.’-'  ■  '  r  > 

12  They  then  proceed  in  the  fol! rav¬ 
ing  manner;  call  for,  fend  fof,  or  bring  fix 
minifters.  of  .the  Tift  andjecond  oder,  from 
other  diftriefts. 

1 3  This  forms  a  court  of  nine  itinerant 

mimfters.  But,  by  what  authority  thofe  men 
,are  to  be  brought  fo  far  from  their  bu  finds, 
,&c.  I  cannot  tell.  *  * 

•  j  4  I  underhand  not  the  place  of  judgment, 
nor  how  the  joiiliop  is  to  be  Topped  from  this 
circuit,  until  this  called  court  can  be  cal-. 
Tefted," '  r y  '• .  *  : 

ij5  Or  will  they  purfue  him  till  overtaken? 
"Then  they  have  power  to  fulpend,  or  releafe 
him;  notwithftanding  the  church  fim ay  be 
grieved, 'and  injured.1  - 

1 6  To  what  fhall  I  liken  it;?  Tt  isdfke  unto 
a  high~:{heriff,  and  although  .the  public.anay 
2be  greatLy  injured  bythim,  he  (hould  not,*bc 
-heki  to  lecurity ;  jnor  be  called  to  trial  by  any 
court  but  his  own  deputies:  And  iheyTvfltyy 

-that  he  is  their  bread  1  :  ^  .hskV  >  ‘ 

17  How  can  fuch  impofitions  be  contem  ¬ 
plated  without  ferious.  emotions inrthe  bfeaft 
of  every  member  who  holds  a  fingere  regard 

'for  Zion’s  welfare,  and  the  liberty, of  the  faints. 
-  When  we  contemplate  the.d'4ys  paft,  ^e 

read  of  Zion’s  woe,  .and  find  the, overthrew 
thereof,  generally  to  originate  in.;, the.  ambi¬ 
tion,  and  policy  of  bifiiops,  affifted  by,  thair 
-creatures,  1  e.  ptidls.r. 

. 19  And  on  the  other  handjTufi&red^.by-tfjje 


r  7°  ]  ,  i  j 

tsrpid  filence  of  the  people  of  God.  As  I  | 
fhall  fpeakof  more  particularly  hereafter.  j 

CHAP.  XXXI. 

Further  Rcfleflions  on  the  Laft  Form  of  Difci -  !| 
pline,  | 

IN  the  third  page  of  the  form  of  difcipline  |j 
it  is  thus  written,  **  We  think  we  have 
been  as  cautious  as  the  nature  of  our  cafe  will  | 
admit,  to  prevent  hafty  innovations &c..  . 

2  Thofc  gradual  innovations,  have  as  gradu-  jll 
ally  made  reparations.  Whoever  is  the  au^  I 
thor  of  thofe  innovations ,  mark  him,  as  the  caufc 
of  our  dtvifions.  ,  - 

3  See  page  fourth,  "  But  we  are  very  falli- 
.  ble  creatures,  liable  continually  to  err." 

4  How  can  any  man  on  earth,  with  judg¬ 
ment  and  good  faith,  juftify  the  conduct 
of  fetting  up  fuch  a  lcgiflature  for  Chrift’s 
church  N 

5  Then,  each  one  of  thofe  **  fallible  crea- 
-  tures,"  ex 
cording  to 
the  faints. 

6  In  page  the  ninth,  there  appears  the 
form  of  a  new  deed,  for  the  purpole  ©f  con¬ 
veying  meeting- houfes  and  lands..  .'  v 
7  Head,  mark  well  the  content?,  and  I  be- 
leive  the  reader  will  find  that  thofe  houles, 
Jands,  &c,  may  be  reduced  to  public  laic,  as 
1  private  property.  *  •. 


ecute  thole  changeable  law'?,  ac- 
hisjugdment,  in  the  expulfion  of 


i  71  3 

,  8  But  I  would  fuppofe,  fev?,  very  few  ./a* 

deed  will  ever  build  houfes  on  fuch  terms,  or 
convey  lands  by  inch  a  form. 

9  Something  very  extraordinary  appears  in 

page  the  tenth,  preventing  all,  and  every 
minifter  of  God,  however  holy  in  dodtrine, 
life,  or  converfation,  •  ./ 

10  However  ufeful  to  rhe  fouls  of  the  peo¬ 

ple,-  even  to  preach  or  expound  (to  the  peo¬ 
ple)  Gods  holy  word,  in  any.  of  thofe  cha¬ 
pels,  except  he  be  authonfedby  their  order, 
j  Alas  1  >  ■  . 

1 1  No  books  nor  trafts  of  any  kind  with-- 

.out  the  confent  of  the  bilhop,  dare  be  print¬ 
ed.  This  an  attack  on  civil  as  well  as  religi¬ 
ous  liberty.  «  •  .  XV. 

1 2  However,  it  does  this  much  for  the  bi¬ 
ihop,  it  lecures  him  from  every  publication, 
which  might  in  anv  degree  refled  on  his  cbn- 

dud.  x  \ 

13  In  the  twenty -ninth  page,  appears  the 

bilhop’s  chartered  fund.  Which  fund  (lun* 
derfland)  is  like  to  be  eftabliflied  by  civil 
law,  ,  .  ..  «r'v  '  •W,v-  V  .  \ 

14  It  appears,  that  their  fangume  expec¬ 

tations  are  fuch,  that  the  principle  will  (well 
fo  large,  as  for  the  intereft  to  anfvver  the 
prefent  necefhtiesi  -  :  V 

15  '  The  tru flees,  whofe  bufinefs  is' to  take 
care  of  the  preachers’  propeity,  are  only,  fuch 
.as  (hall  be  called  the  Philadelphia  Committee, : 

And,  •  :\t 

16  In  page  twenty  fecond,  we  read,  ui$i' 


*72 

fecurmes  and  deputies,  in  each  flate,  where 
the  money  is  TOllc&ed,  are  to  be  thofe  ap¬ 
proved  of  by  the  ttuliees  in  Philadelphia 
\Vhat  is  that  tor  ?  * 

i  7  The  objects  which,  this  great  charity 
have  prefented  to  the  ideal  views  of  the  peo¬ 
ple,  are  travelling,  and  worn  out  preachers, 
"widows,  &c. 

i  8  Thofe  deflolate  widows — I  know  not. 
The  circuits  ought  .to  fupport  their  own 
preachers;  and  as  for  worn  out  preachers — > 
they  generally  marry  well;  being  men  of  good 
'characters. 

1 9  Thofe  objefts  muft  dwell  in  a  province 
"that  I  am  unacquainted  with.  I  know  the 
preachers  are  fometimes  in  want:  and  fo  art 

'‘many  of  the  poor  members,  their  widows,  and 
fatherlefs  children  alio." 

20  But  the  fecret  is,  what  is,  hath  been, 
and  there  is  no  new  thing  upon  earth.— 
Epifeopal  dignity  neceflarfly  calls  for  money,; 

.and  in  order  that  this  may  be  carried  into 
"execution,  the  feelings  of  the  poor  members 
are  cogently  addreffed,  chanty  fermonsl”  - 

2t  Look  back  on  hiftory,  and  fee  what  bi- 
fhops  have  done,  aflifted  by  their  creatures; 
aid  on  the  other  hand,  luffered  by  the  torpid 
fil  nee,  and  flaviih  tr.eannefs  of  the  innocent 
*m:mSers.  ;.  - 

xi  All  this  carried  on  "by  the  doftrine  of 
'‘  peace,  peace.  Batvire'of  fchifms  -and  ci¬ 
vilians/’  &c.  . _  .  -  !  *  - 


r 


-  X  -  73  '] 

;  CHAP.XXXlt.  '  ■ 

An  Epifcopal  Elder  in  a  Letter ,  gives  the  Reafm- 
iv by  the  Republicans  are  charged  ' with  being 
Enemies  to  Civil  Government ,  isJe. 

E  LDER  S - W- - s  in  a  letter  to  a  cer-' 

respondent,  obferves,  that  the  general 
conference  had  caufe  to  believe  the  Repub- 
cans  to  be  tones,  becauie  he  believed  O’K. 

1  to  begone;  •'  - 

2  And  his  party  were  deputies  to  him,  and 
he  a  dupe  to  Patrick  Henry,  &c. 

*  3  I  am  in  duty  bound  to  anfwer  thofe  hard, 
and  falfe  afiertions;  and  firft,  with  regard  to 
the  worthy  character  he  points  out,  who  never 
concerned  with  our  bufincls.  ,  ~st  ;••*>.* 

4  I  wifh  S.  W-^-s  would  learn  to  give  ^"ho¬ 
nor  to  whomhonor  is  due.”  The  very  per-foti 
■whom  our  delegates  judged  beft  qualified  to 
Jill  the  governor’s  chair.  ’  -T  :  ,-r  ; 

.  *■  -5  Mr.  "Henry,  a  proved  friend  to  his  eoun^ 

try.  Whofe  .Eagle  eye  firtl  ditcovered  otrr 
^ftate  of  bondage  in  Virginia.  ■  jr:ct 

b  He  boldly  defended  our  rights; -condemn- 
*ed  -thc'proccedi ngs  of! Britain  -.  and  men  e.-rhan 
thirty  years  ag-o,  was  he  called  a  frailort  t&t 
-  displaying  In  a  m  a  fieri  y  manner-live  rights  of 
.American's.  v  -  .-g  -'vu  n;  ;  it 

*1  <Whcn  fife  'Federal  eonfiiustion  was  fnVef- 
'  'tigared,  he  difiinguifhcd  hnrdelf  for1  Wiidpiti 
and  candor,  driving  to-preierve  ouf  liberties, 
hmd  our  alliance  with  France.  -  • ;  '4 

£  He  (hewed' that  a  majority  of  the  pcopf? 
■had' 'a  right  toialfcer  t h  ei  r\gb ve ro-ra eat,* whpfS- 


[  74  r 

ever  they  found  it  to  be  oppreffive.  And  this 
he,  "  is  the  language  of  Democracy.." 

9  But  what  part  of  his  condudl  can  any 
infer  to,  in  fuppofing  Mr.  Id.  to  be  an  enemy? 

Or  how  did  he  dupe  me  ?  Thefe  are  heavy 
provocatives. 

,  io  But  the  fecret  I  fuppofe  to  be  this,  There 
are  leading  chara&ers  in  the  interior  church 
and  flare,  whofe  attachment  towards  their 
native  friends  is  flrong  ;  and  they  appear  to  be 
delighted  at  every  feature  of  monarchy. 

ii  The  republicans  are  willing  to  put  it  to 
this  ifTue,  viz :  Let  the  principle  men  who  are 
jnoft  a<flive  declare  their  political  fentiments 
on  oath,  or  by  affirmation. 

»  12  As  to  my  condudf,  it  may  be  traced 

.-through  the  American  revolution.  After  the 
..itinerant  preachers  fled  from  the  louth,  for 
fear  of  danger; 

►  13  1  laboured  and  travelled  from  ci/cuit  to 

.circuit,  in  North- Carolina,  to  feed  and  com¬ 
fort  thofe  poor  diff  relied  flieep,  left  in  the 
wildernefs. 

14  Philip,  whofe  fir- name  was  Bruce,  help¬ 
ed  me — through  great  perils ! 

15  We  judged  it  befi,  for  men  in  our  bu- w 

linefs,  to  move  as  quiet  as  poflible.  \ 

-  1  6  J  was  taken  prifoner  by  the  tories,  and 

robbed  :  I  was  retaken  before  day,  by  captain  -d 
Feter  Rcbrrtfon,  the  great,  and  noted  whig. 

17  I  was  afterwards  taken  prifoner  by  the 
Britifh  ;  The  chief  officer  urged  me  to  fubjeeft 
irtyfdf  to  my  king.  Although  I  was  in  h is 


t  75  ] 


hands,  I  would  nor  yield.  "  : 

1 8  He  offered  to  releafc  me  if  I  would  fo- 
lemnly  pronufe  not  to  let  any  man  know, 
i  afked  or  not  afked,  where  the  Britifh  army 
;  lay.  1  refilled  to  do  that.  > 

13  Then  1  was  difpiftd,  and  very  near  fa- 
mi  fhed  for  bread.  At  which  time,  I  refolved 
through  grace,  to  hold  my  integrity  till  death. 
My  honor,  my  oath — my  foul  was  at  Bake! 

20  Till  at  laft,  Providence  offered  me  art 
opportunity,  which  I  gladly  embraced;  and 
narrowly  efcaped  their  hands.1! 

21  After  thefe  things,  I  went  (notasapri- 
foner)  into  general  Kutherford's  camps,  and 

There,  by  the  teffimony  of  two  worthy  gentle-, 
men,  viz;  colonel  Robertfonand  colonel  Ow¬ 
ens,  of  Bladen,  did  I  eftablifh  my  political 
and  civil  chara&er.  *  -  • 

22  I  flood  my  draught  as  other  men.  Once 
my  fubflitute  faithfully  ferved  a  tour.  Once 
1  marched  on  foot,  as  far  as  I  was  able*  <  . 

23  Which  of  my  accufers  have  done  more?  , 
Let  us  now  proceed  to  fliew  our  receipts.— 
Which  of  the  itinerant  men  have  paid  more 
to  fupport  government,  than  I  have  done?  *  , 

24  Alas,  why  do  my  brethren  thus  Bander 

me,  feeing  the  root  of  the  matter  is  in  me  ? 
All  men  muff  fee  the  caufe,  they  mufl  fink 
me,  to  fupport  their  error.  ?■  ' 


CHAP.  XXXIII. 


Remark's  on  a  Jew  paffega  in  a  BoJ.  extraSied  Ij 


'[  &  3 


Francis,  ref  peeling  Heart ,  and  Church  T)ivt~  | 

-fOrtS,  &C.  ■  - 

I'M  the  beginning  of  this  book,  heavy  refiec-  | 
tions  are  caff  on  the  feparates.  Thecaufes  | 
he  attributes  to  pride,  revenge,  intereft,  felf— 
‘and  the  devil.  •  . 

!  2  In  page  i oo,  he  faith,  "  the  power  of 

baptiling  is  the  power  of  the  keys  for  reception 
into  the  church/’  What  can  we  think  of 
this?  .  ' 


3  “  The  private  members  have  not  the 
power  of  baptifi ng,  therefore  have  not  the 
power  of  the  keys  for  admifiion.”  He  quotes 
•feripture  texts,  which  promifed  to  the  Apof- 
tles,  the  key  of  Knowledge,  8cc,  Is  Francis 
Tan  ApofUe? 

"  -4  Page  i or,  Francis  undertakes  the  expla¬ 

nation  or  our  Lord’s  words,  as  recorded  in 
'Matt,  xviii.  15.  If  a  brother  trepafs  againft 
thee,”  Sec  “  tell  it  to  the  church.”  The  in¬ 
terpretation  is,  according  to  Francis  his  theo- 
Tcgy,  “  Tell  it  to  the  Pallor.” 

5  Page  102,  he  addrefleth  the  members 
-thus,  you  are  not  all  bound  to  know  what  the 
fpiritual -{fate -of  any  man  ic,  as  he  is  to  join 
^in  church  communion  with  you,  but  upon 
your paftOr’s  truil  and  word.”  <  •  .  ,  » 

'•  -6- -What  can  ihe  honefl  reader  make  of Tuch 
lubjeff  ion  as  this  ?•  He  adds,  It  he  have  ad¬ 
mitted  them,  you  are  to  red  in  his  judgment, 
unlefs  you  would  undcFtakeThe  office  your- 
IcH/-'  ,  '  • 


r  77  r 

‘‘  repentance  be  ferious  arid  credible,  you  are- 
«*  not  called  to  try  and  judge:  but  if  yourpaf-> 

“  tor  have  admitted  them,  he  hath  numbered 
“  them  with  the  vifible  church: 

8  “  And  it  is  the  credibility  of  the  pad  or 
“  that  you  have  to  conlider.  Who  are  perfons 
“  that  you  fhal!  meet  at  a  facrament  or  in  pub-i  - 
“  lie  communion,  you  are  no:  at  all  retired  ' 
“  to  try; 

9  “If  you  never  faw  them  before  or  heard 
“  them  ipeakv  Reft  in  the  knowledge  of  them 
r“  to  whom  the  keys  are  committed. " 

10  Thole  keys  have  a  very  grating  gtngle 
in  my  ears.  Such  keys,,  when  the  bifhop  of? 
Rome  had  them  in  pofiefhan,  have  locked 
up  good  men  in  prifon.  h  t  ?>■  :  t 

1 1  But  the  key  of  Chrifl’s  kingdom,  is  the:  ' 
fpirit  of  truth,  which  led  the  ApofUes  into 
the  myfleries  of  the  gofpel:  Thus  it  is,  that 
their  words  bind  and  fhut  heaven  again fJ  men* 

*  12  Little  did  I  oneexhink,;  that  Francis 

would  ever  offer  to  exercife  the  Popes  ieysi 
He,  in  the  time  of  his  humility  couM  lay, 

“  God  never  called,  me  to  be,  s  priefL’*  .  u  He 
that  would  be  a  bifhop,  would  be  king.*  .  a 
13  ^ag€  I01'  “  If- you  knovr  fuck  to  be 
•‘wicked,  it  is  no  more  your  fin  to  commune 
*'  with  fuch  men,  than  it  is  to  live  andeon- 
V  verfe  with  fellow-  fervants  that  are  wkked;  ' 
when  it  is  not  you,  but  your  mailer  that ' 
*  hath  the  choice. of  them.V  «  <•  a-  V  % 
T4  See  page  11  8.  “  The  feripture  is  writtea 
**  in.  iuch- words uu  men.  ufe,  of  purpele  that 


[  7*  ] 

"  they  may  undetftand  it ;  and  it  is  to  be  fuf-' 

ficiently  undeiftood  by  all  men  that  hear  it, 
"  though  they  have  no  revelation. 

15  “  God  hath  fet  Paftors  in  his  church  to- 

,f  teach  it.”  Hard  fayings,  and  dangerous 
doctrine,  in  my  judgment.  It  needs  expla-' 
nation,  or  chriHian  refentment.  “  Be  ye  an¬ 
gry,  and  fin  not.”  *  ' 

16  Had  F.  been  a  philofopher  or  politician, 

I  fhould  have  thought  that  he  wrote  with  in- 
digrarion:  and  all  his  epithets  and  good  words 
were  only  intended  to  Totten  intuits. 

17  It  he  were  a  man  of  education,  I  might 
have  taid  with  Ftfius,  “  Much  learning  hath 
made  thee  mad.”  Such  policy  and  dignity 
in  the  chriflian  church,  gives  great  advantage 
to  the  enemy. 

’  18  This  caufes  carnal  men  to  cry  out, 
■/*  Prieft  cralt.”  This  confirms  the  Deift  in 
his  no  faith:  So,  they  become  abominable: 
and  favorable  profpetfts  vanifhaway  as  morn-‘ 
ing  dew.  \  • 

‘  19  It  is  this  that  rivits  the  oppreffive 
chains,  and  promotes  tyranny  w  hile  we  write, 
and  preach  againll  flavery.  "  Doft  thou  preach 
agaift  flealing?  And  dofl  thou  fteal?’\  : 

CHAP.  XXXIV.  .  ' 

.  ’  Elethodiji  Epi/copacy  Spurious, 

IN  the  year  1787,  we  read  thus,  “  Who  are 
the  Supcrintendants  of-our  church  ?”.  In 
the  year  1788,  .wvcj:cad  in  the  Book  o/.difei-1 


t  *9  ] 

pline,  “  Who  arc  the  biffiops  of  our  church/' 
&c.  Page  3.  <  ^ 

2  I  refer  now  to  the  minutes  for  the  year 
1789,  “  Who  are  the  perfons  that  exerdfe  the 
Epiicopal  Office  in  the  Mcthodift  church  in 
Europe,  and  America?” 

3  The  anfwer  is,  “  John  Wefley,  Thomas 

Coke,  Francis  Afbury,  by  regular  order  and 
lucceffion.”  .  v 

4  Verily,  Wefley  was  a  Methodift  preacher 
fnot  a  biffiop)  and  lived  by  profeffion,  as  an 
tlderof  the  Epifcopal  church.  “  Nihil  dat 
quod  non  habet.” 

5  Let  the  reader  reflect  on  the  rife  a ad  pro- 
grefs  of  the  Methodift  Epifcopal  dignity,  and 
alk  if  any  man  who  regards  his  charader,  will 
ever  again — undertake  to  defend  it? 

6  However,  the  preachers  fay  that  they  can 
abridge  the  bifhop’s  power  whenever  they 
pleafe.  But,  1  would  afk  tnofe  mindlers  by 
what  authority  they  can  demand  the  biffiop 
to  lay  down  the  power  that  God  gave  him  ?  *  < 

7  Or  do  they  believe  the  power  the  biffiop 

now  exerciles  to  be  of  God  ?  If  ir  be  of  God, 
they  dare  not  meddle  with  it:  and  if  it  be  of 
man,  it  is  wickednefs.  -  ■  ■ 

8  If  the  chriftian  religion,  and  the  govern¬ 

ment  of  the  church  be  of  man,  then,  1  power 
of  regulating,  or  altering  the  government  is*1 
pofTefted  of  man  ;  fo  that  man  may  endi  laws, 
abridge,  extend,  revife  and  repeal  at  ht  would 
any  other  political  project.  /  •  :  ? 

\  9.  But.in  this  point  of  view,  i:  would-be 


[so  3 

difpifed  on  account  of  its  fpurims  birth. 

13  But,  if  it  be  of  God,  it  is  great  pre^, 
Jumprion  in  minillers  to  fet  as  legiflators,  and 
cnad  laws  tor  Chr:ft’s  church: 

11  And  to  enforce  thofe  very  laws  in  the 
excommunication  of  the  Lord’s  people;  and 
that  often  againfl  the  will  of  the  church. 

12  All  thofe  who  are  acquainted  with  the 
New  Teflamenr,  muft  alfo  know  that  this  is 
not  gofpel  order. 

13  Strange  indeed,  that  thou f-nds  of  g&  d 
people  fbould  calmly .  part  with  their  golpel 
liberties,  and  like  Ef.ru  { til  their  birth  right.  , 

14  For,  there  is  hut  one  way  that  people 
can  give  power  toothers  which  they  have  not 
to  give,  that  is,  by  depreciating  rhcmfelvcs. 

15  But  to  pretend  to  juftity  themielves  in 
giving  away  other  people’s  liberty,  there  is 
Scarcely  a  precedent  lor  fuch  congudi, 

16  Thofe  h'pifcopal  minifters  are  plealed 

to  fay,  that  whoever  oppofes,  and  condemns 
their  government,  oppofes  God,  and  divin$ 
authority.  -  - 

17  I  would  afk  then,  if  they  can  prove  their 
cpifcopacy  by  fucceiTion  from  the  Apoflles? 
Their  genealogy  can  refied  back  no  farther 
than  to  a  man  of  yellerday ;  who  was  an  infe¬ 
rior  of  the  epilcopal  church. 

>  8  That  good  man  never  profelTed  to  be  3 
bifhop,  neither  could  he  fend  letters  of  epif- 
copal  authority  to  America;  Bccaufe  he  had 
no  fuch  power.  . 

-  19  Thcrelore,.  tbc.Methodift  .Eplfcopacy 


%  ’  *  ,  j  *  #  -■  .  *  '  .  f  ^ 

cannot  be  divided  :  nor  according  to  the  mo¬ 
dern  acceptation  of  the  term,  can  it  be  cpif- 
copacy  at  all.  .  '  . 

CHAP.  XXXV. 

A  View  of  Epifcopdcy  in  its  Bfl  EJiate,  iAe. 

EPI^COPaCY,  or  Epifcopal  government^ 
is  that  form  of  church  difeipline  wherethc 
fuperior  order  of  the  clergy  is  head,  and  go¬ 
vernor  over  minifters  and  people:  and  fuch 
bifhnps  are  not  ameanable  to  the  church.  ‘ 

-  2  Our  epifcopal  tranflators  make  mentiotf 
ofthe  wordbilhop,  Tim.  lii.  1,2!  Compare 
Phil.  i.  1.  But  the  nice  critics  can  allure  us* 
that  the  interpretation  is  elder.  -  Lord  King 
convinced  John  Wefiey  of  this  truth.  '  | 
3  We  read  in  Adts  i.  20  of  an  Apoftle  fall¬ 
ing  form  his  epifcopal  dignity  bv  tranfgrelh- 
on,  according  to  a  prophecy  in'  Pfalm  cix.  S.‘ 
In  the  original  there  is  no  hint  of  epifcopacy* 
but  a  nvinifteriai  office. 1  J  ' .  ,  "T 

4  In  the  original  Greek,  from  whence  oar 
bible  is  tranflated,  I  believe  there  is  no  fudi 
word,  nor  root.  Can  an  inferior  root  (towit,the 
prefbyter)  bear  the  fuperior  order  thebifnop? 
Let  us  never  facrihce  our  common  fenfe. 

5  1  will  appeal  to  the  unprejudiced  learned 
men,  vyho  know  better  than  James  or  Franck, 
that  the  very  Apoftles  called  themfelves  Ei¬ 
ders,  and  Prefbyters  ;  or  overfeers. 

6  Pet.  i„  2,  3,  All  the  Pallors  or  Mini&ers 


[  32  ] 

are  called  by  •'  e  Holy  Apoftles,  Elders.  Yea, 
and  he  calls  himfelf  Elder,  alfo. 

7  Compare  Ads  xiv.  23.  Elders  were  or¬ 
dained  in  ihc  churches :  Not  a’  fentcnce  of 
fuperior  orders  called  Bilhops., 

8  Letthe  conference  at  Jerufalem  witnefs 
this  hibfe-truth,  Ads  xv.  The  ApofUes  arrd 
E  lders,  and  people  competed  that  great  con¬ 
ference. 

9  And  except  Elders  arc  bilhops,  there  was 
no  Eifhop  among  them  And  if  Sifhops  arc  jj 
Elders,  there  can  "be  no  foperior  order  of  the  1 
Clergy,  {hat  is  of  divine  authority. 

10  See  A(fts  xx.  28.  Paul  gave  a  farewell  j 
folemn  charge  to  the  Elders,  but  not  a  word  * 
to  bifhops.  The  Elder  is  a  Steward,  to  admN 
nifter  ipiritual  food  to  the  houihoid,  (Luke  , 
xii.  42)  and  the  Deacons  were  Stewards  of  the  j 
temporalities. 

1 1  The  minifters  mentioned  in  the  Revela-  ! 
fidns,  are  though:  by  feme,  to  be  feven  biihops.  ! 
But,,  only  let  the  man  of  underftanding  be 
guided  by  reafhjvand  the  following  feriptures. 

12  Reafcn  dictates  to  us,  that  the  Lord 

had  many  minifters,  and  churches,  befides 
thofe  feven;  and  that  the  fame  letter  equally 
concern  all  the  churches  of  Chrift,  now  cxifl- 
ing..  '•  ...  .  : 

*13  Thofe  feven  minifters  given  under  the 
fimiliiude  of  the  “  feven  Bars,”  plainly  prove 
that  thofe  leading  characters  were  all  in  the 
Saviours  powerful  hand  movingtogerher  as  he, 
the  Head  directed,  anTthcy  workers  together 


f  S3  3 

Vith  him,  on  a  perfedi:  equality.  Which  til 
the  leven  liar's  is  ruler  over  the  fix? 

14  The  term  Angst,  iignines  minifter, atone 
fent  on  a  meftage  Tne  nu mber jcven3  infcrip- 
ture,  is  a  number  of  many,  or  perfection,  or  all. 

15  “  Seven  fpirits.”  “Seven  pillars/’  “Se¬ 
ven  eyes.”  "  Seven  pipes.”  “  Seven  akarsT 
“  Seven  Weeks.”  “  Seven  locks  of  hair.*’ 
“  Seven  withs.”  “  Seven  thunders.”  “  Seven 
trumpets.”  “Seven  ftreams.” 

16  Seven  vials.”  “  Seven  women.”  "Se¬ 
ven  beads.”  Seven  troubles,  and  I  havepaffi- 
through  feven  hundred  already. 

17  There  is  one  difficulty  more,  at  width, 
fnyfelf,  and  others  have  daggered;  which  is 
■plated  as  a  paragraph  in  the  book  of  God;  ‘f 

18  It  is  added  to  the  lad  letter  to ;  Timo¬ 

thy,  and  alfo  the  Apoftle’s  letter  to -Titus. 
■'**  Timotheus  ordained  the  firft  bHhop  of  the 
church  of  the  Ephcfians.”  “  i  itus  ordained 
the  firft  bilhop  of  the  church  of  the  CrcmnsT 
f  If  any  man  will  prove  that  thofe-^ara1- 
graphs  were  wrote  by  the  Apoftle,  then  wiHl 
'acknowledge  the  cpifcopa'l  dignity,  where  the 
fuctejfion  can  be  rhade  appear:  but  Will  peotell 
againft  the  rpijcopncy  born  ib  America,  la  the 
year 17S7.  ...  * 

%q  I  knbW  th£r£  are  many  who  could  have 
done  this  bufinefs  better  than  F,  tot  ah. 

ho,  fome-able  pens  for  fear  of  offending,  when 
the  king  defends  the  epifcopal  faith.  Whilft 
others  live  by  the  gown;  .  '  .  } 

cli  AU  the  bloodshed,  and  confuflon  which 


t  *4  3 

the  epifcopal  religion  have  produced  in  the 
world,  hath  been  owing  to  the  prefumption 
of  kings  and  bifhops;  by  forcing  laws,  and 
creeds  on  the  people  of  God.  v 

22  The  m.fcties  thence  derived  muft  be 
aferibed  to  this  fource,  and  not  the  bleffed 
religion  of  the  holy  jefus.  Read  the  bloody 
hiftories,  for  its  ufelefs  to  print  them  again,  \\ 

CHAP.  XXXVI.  r  | 

'The  writings  of  Epifropal  Authors  fhew,  that 
“  Epifcopacy  bulb  no  foundation  in  Scirpture,  &cS  j 

r'|^'HE  Reverend  Mr.  Warren  fays,  bifhops  j 
^  JL  fucceeded  the  Apoflle,  as  he  believed,  j 
**  and  without  a  line  of  fucceffion  nothing  di-  I 
.vine  can  be  pleaded.”  v ;  | 

2  Bifhop  Hoadley  in  his  difpure  with  Dr. 

Calamy,  gives  up  the.  point.  Mr.  Warren  J 
fays’  that  he  will  not  deny  but  in  the  Greek,  l 
the  Apollle  John  calls  himlelf  Prefbyter,  or  ! 
.Elder:  But  he  fuppofed  he  wrote  it  through  | 
fear.  Fie,  Mr.  Warren.  *  -  *’  ji 

3  Erafmus,  who  was  counted  an  excellent 

Grecian,  honellly  confeffcth  (as  hidory  fay)  f 
that  the  word,  bifhop,  is  not  found  in  the  ori-  | 
ginal  Gicek.  ;  - .  .  . 

.  4  The  celebrated  Titrler  afhrms/thatepif- 
copacy  is  not  of  divine  authority. ; 

,  5  Dr.  Whitbcy,  an  Epifcopalian,  faith 

that  the  name  bifhop  was  nor  known  in  the 
church  for  two  or  three  centuries  after  the 
;Apoft!c3.;  Thus  he  proves  that  no  /uch  title 


r  tf  j 

exiflcd  among  thgApoftles;  nor  for  a  long 
time  after  '  > 

6  But  he  proceeds  to  fhew  the  caufe  wffiv 

tl  e  Apoflles  iiad  ho  billiops  in  their  days,  O 
fays  he,  it  was  a  defedt  in  the  Apoftles  go-i 
vernment.  , 

7  The  reader  may  fee  how  hard  run  th.c 
greateft  wits  have  ever  been,  in  trying  to  de¬ 
fend  epifcopacy.  ' 

8  Mr.  Wttley,  in  his  hiftory  2ffures  me, 
that  bi (hop,  is  a  borrowed  name.  Yet  he 
v/ould  fpeak  in  favor  of  epifcopacy. 

9  I  believe  the  title  originated  in  the  civil’ 

world,  and  is  of  a  majeftcrial  feature,  com¬ 
manding  obedience  and  refpedt.  •  >  3 

-  io  Calvin  difputed  this  point,  in  the  refor¬ 
mation;  pleading  for  the  feripture  order -if* 
rhe  Prefbytery ;  and  that  no  order  above  a* 
Prelbyter,  could  be  divine.  i 

11  Mr.  Law’ informs  the  public*  that  he 

feparated  from  the  epifcopal  government, "as-? 
a  debt  he  owed  to  God  ;  and  an  adt  of  allegi— ' 
ance  to  Chrift,  as  the  only  law-givei  for  the-; 
church.  Matt,  xxiii.  8,  9,  &c.  r  I 

12  ^iHiops  were  a  kind  of  officers  (as  and* 

thors  fay)  and  infpeclcrs  among  the  Atheni.l 
ans ;  and  alfo  among  the  Romans,  and  Jews;'* 
at  length  it  was  borrowed  for  the  church:  -and 
I  would  that  the  borrowed  word  were  returned  J 
from  whence  it  came.  '  -  "  *  1  :*  ? 

’•  13  Biffiop,  as  foi 
Saxon  word  bifcop: 


me  think,  comes  from  the 
but  the  epifeopaiians  dxi\v% 


f  85  J 

it  from  the  Greek  word  overfeer,  or  ©bferver, 
or  elder 

J4  Bifhop,  is  papas,  from  the  term  father. 
Papa,  bpifeopas,  or  Jh'pifcopacus,  dignity. 
Pontifcx,  Homsnus,  or  Pope.  ; 

i  5  1  here  is  a  pamphlet  fent  out  to  the  E-. 
pifcopal  Church,  bv  John  D.  according  to 
order,  in  the  year  179.5  intitlcd  the  cxcrcife, 
or  y  ay  of  ancient  chrifiians.  That  trail  is 
fit  11  of  popery.  See  page  11.7,  &c. 

<16  E-pihf^pas,  i.  e.  pontiff,  pricll  or  high- 
prieft;  papa,  i.  e.  popo,  father,  pope.  Thus 
fahh  the  lord,  “Cal!  no  man  fatheron  earth.” 
Let  none  call  me  father  in  the  church,  who 
call  themiclves  my  friends. 

17  Thus  vc  clearly  fee,  that  in  rigid  epif- 
Oopacy,  popery  fkulks  in  all  its  native  defor^ 
mity.  They  difpife  the  name,  but  delight  in 
the  dignity.  ‘ 

18  In  matters  of  religion,  I  regard  no  wri- 
tings  but  the  infpired.  Wefley.  In  every 
point  I  appeal  to  the  law  and  the  teftimony, 
and  value  no  authority  but  this.  .  W. 

-  19  That  according  ro  truth,  bifhop  is  elder , 
elder  is  bifhop — overfeer,  fee.  And  as  for  a 
fucceffion  of  epifcopacy  from  the  Apoftlcs,  it 
cannot  be  proved,  and  therefore  is  not  divine. 

20  The  truth  of  what  I  fay,  I  call  on  the 

teflimony  of  Thomas  Coke ,  Francis  Ajhu.ry>  w  ith . 
the  General  Conference  fo-  the  year  .  784:  They ; 
havt  declared  from  the  pre/s,  v  hat  I  now 
write.  ■.  ■  ;  .  ./I 

21  Kow,  according  to  common  fenfe,  if 


t  '*7  ] 

their  publications  be  true,  as  I  believe  they 
are,  minifters  were  all  on  a  perfect  equality  in 
feripture  times. 

22  Therefore  the  luperior  order  of  bifhops.* 
mull  have  originated  in  pride,  and  church 
policy:  What  is  by  fome  called  “Pricffc- 
Crafti” 

23  And  if  fo,  every  good  man  who  is-  a 
friend  to  ChriH,  ought  to  explode  it and  by 
no  means  be  brought  into  Inch  fubjet^ionl! 

CHAP.  XXXVII.  •  ' 

Eplfcopacy  operated  to  the  dt'.vvfall  of  the  Prvdi1- 
troe  Church'  iSc.  -  /  ' 

ClAN  any  man  on  earth  {It ew  any  form  of 
*  difcipline  by  which  the  primitive 'church 
Was  governed,  befides  the  A  potties  writings, 
as  they  Hood  recorded,  and  were ■' receive  d^by,, 
the  people  of  God  ?  Where  is  it  to‘be  Fourtd? 

>  2'  Yet,  the  great  conference  are  bbl&tp 
fert,  that  government  is  left  for  rh.e  rninilVeri 
of  thefe  days,  to  form;  although,  they  are 
tf  ooor  fallible  creatures,  liable  continually  t’6 
err.  *  > 

3  Pious  John  Wefiey,  with  ether  hi  fibril 
ans  lay,  that  about  fifty  years  after  the  Apof- 
ties,  this  evil  arofc  in  the  church  :  ’  .  { 

;  4.  -  The  Elders  began  to  grow  wife  abevii 
what  was  writen,  and  to  began  to  change  the 
face  of  a  divine  government.  ;  -  1  * 

5  Prefbyters  began  to  form  councils  in  thofb 
days:  nor  does  there  appear  a  trace  of  this, 
.in  the  firtl  . century. -  Weflevi-  It -began  ii 


f  ■  ] 

V- 

.Greece,  and  To  prevailed.  *  '  -  -  *  'j 

6  In  propels  of  time,  in  thofe  councils  they 
diftinguifhed  one  man,  to  uhem  they  gavij 
place  by  v  av  ol  lubjedtion,  as  their  prelident; 
and  aided  as  deputies  under  him- 

7  Such  men  fuperincend  certain  cities,  or 
provinces,  and  were  afterward  diftmguilhed 
by  Senior ;  then  Apojlolic- Father ;  Metropolis 
t.in ,  &c.  Bifhop  was  introduced  foon  af: er. 

8  Thofe  leadingcharaders  appeared  at  firft 
as  humble  as  holy  men  ;  and  called  themlelves 
the  delegates  of  the  brethren  :  and  fet  to  give 
eounldlA*.  . 

9  Their  humility  declined,  they  began  to 

a<ft  as  legiflators,  and  lent  out  canons  which 
are  laws  or  binding  rules.  The  ambition  of 
thofe  bifhops,  and  the  torpid  lubjedion  of 
the  people;  with  the  help  of  the  bilhop's 
ereatures,  planted  the  feeds  of  popery.  Epilr 
copacy  is  the  root  of  papery  ;  and  popery  is 
epjfcopacv  in  full  bloom  1  ^ 

,;o  1  learn  f  om  cpifcopal  authors,  that  fe* 
veral  ancunt  chinches  complained,  and  mur¬ 
mured.  But  a  revolution  was  prevented  by; 
the  activity  ol  the  inferior  minifters. 

jj  I  will  here  inferc  a  few  fentences  in 
their  cpifiles,  as  wrote  to  the  brethren,  irj 
paler  to  (till  the  people,  or  members  of  the 
ancient  churches.  .  {  .  *  - 

12  Their  words  are  handed  to  me  by  ^ 
learned  Dr.  of  the  epifcopal  order,  faying, 
V  We  ought  to  follow  the  bilhop  as  Jefus 
Chri.d  followed  the  Father.’*  Again,  "  If  w$ 


[  *9  1 


loofe  union  with  the  bifhop,  we  fhall  loofc  the 
bread  of  God.".  Again,  ‘  He  that  doth  ought 
in  the  church,  without  the  bifhop,  worfhips 
the  Devil!”  *  .  j 

13  1  hus  the  people  were  Filled,  caft  awaf 
their  own  judgment  with  regard  to  govern* 
•jnnent;  and  afterward  gave  up  their  bibles, 
?nd  concluded  it  was  lafelt:  to  follow  their  , 
bifhops. .  Look  over  into  France  and  Spain,* 

7  l 4  The  Writings  of  Francis  in  his  book  on 
diyifions,  his  conduct,  and  that  of  his  Elder* 
pmong  the  MethodiFs,  .  together  with  th$ 
ftrange  conduct  of  the  good  people,  compared 
to  this,  anfwereth  like  face  to  face  in  a  glafs! 

„  15  In  the  Apollolic  days,  and  .long  aftef 
the  bleFcd  New  ¥e (lament  was' read,  and  ex¬ 
plained  in  all  the  churches,  as  Chrift  direct* 
ed;  and  this  was  the  only  book  of  dv  thins 
and  lii/cipltve.  .  * 

i  16  The  following  is  the  fubfhnce  of -an 
exhibition  delivered  in  my  prefence  by  Hf 
Hill,  who  fpake  after  this  manner;  •  , 

17  Epifcopacy  is  divine,  for  Mofes  was  not; 

pboten  by  the  people,  but  fent  of  God.  He 
was  thejr  law-giver,  and  thofe  who  refiFed 
bis  authority  were  deftroyed  by  divine  ven 1 
geanc.e  t  :  p  -  •  :  -  : 

1 8  That  high- priefts  had.  infetior  priefls 
under  them;  and  they  governed  the  church." 
He  alfo allured  the  people  that  Paul  was  uni-  ' 
yerfal  bifliop  over  the  Gentile  churches,  an'd 
Peter  was  bifhop  in  JerulaJerp.  -  Thus  fpake 

Mr.  Hil|»  x..  .  , ,  ...  .  .  ,Zm 


I  so  3 

e  *Tq  Moreover,  there  were  other  bifnops,  vix. 
J'  Bifhop  Timothy,  and  Titus.” 

:  20  How  eafy  is  the  anfwer.  Mofes  was  an 

jnfpired  man,  a  mediator,  and  type  of  Chrift. 
This  man  proved  his  million  by  wonderful 
miracles!  The  people  prayed  Jehovah  to 
{peak  to  Mofes,  and  let  Mofes  fpeak  all  the 
Words  of  the  Lord  to  the  church,  and  they 
would  obey. 

•  21  Mofes  taught  them  divine  laws.  Their 
government  was  from  above,  called  Theocra¬ 
cy:  and  fo  remained  till  the  time  of  kings: 
which  proved  a  curfe  to  the  people. 

22  As  touching  the  priefthood,  our  High- 
P;  ieft  over  the  go  (pel  church,  is  our  Lord  Je- 
fus.  And  as  for  Timothy,  and  Titus,  they 
were  itenerant  preachers,  who  taught  the 
churches  to  walk  by  feripfure  rules ;  as  they 
.received  orders  to  teach. 
i  23  Mr.  H  further  added,  that  O’Kelly  left 
them  beeaufe  he  miffed  his  expectation  at  the 
council,  where,  and  when  he  expccled  to  be 
ordained  bifhop.  * 

•  .  24  I  arofe  before  the  people,  and  fpake  afc 

ter  this  maimer;  I  can  appeal  to  the  Lordf 
and  am  now  ready  to  be  qualified  that  the 
man  hath  belied  me  to  my  face,  from  th£ 
pulpit, — or  facred  ejefk.  '  -  •  :  - 

CHAP.  XXXVIII.  yi 

A  liltlt  fleet  ch  cn  the  rfe  &  prog-refs  of  Epifcopccyi 

IN.  the  15th  century,  (cveral  attempts  were 
made  011  reformation,  and  fell  through* -by 


r  sr'.J 

the  power  of  tne  clergy.  But  Luther,  Calvin,7 
and  others  held  their  ground,  and  perfevered. 

2  After  that  kings  became  Protcftants,  the 

reformation  went  on  rapidly.  Yet  there  waa. 
a  fchifm  in  their  body,  becaufeof  an  eftabhfh- 
ment.  r 

3  King  Edward  died  young;  and  Mary, 

reigned  in  his  fxead.  She  being  aPapift,  fp-ilt 
the  blood  of  Protcftants,  and  imprifoned  her? 
fitter  .  - 

4  She  died  alfo;  and  Elizabeth  reigned  im 
her  ftead.  She  being  a  Protettant;  pitted  an 
adl,  that  none  tttouid  ever  reign  there,  butt 

!  thofe  of  her  profeftion,  i.  e.  a  Proteftanc  ? 

c.  She  died  ;  and  James  reigned  in  herttead. 
Fpifcopacy  profpered  in  his  day.  But  death . 
took  him  way,-  and  Charles  the  hr  ft,  reigned 
I  in  his  head.  lie  cared  for  very  little,  hut 
how  he  might  gratify  the  fkfh,  in  all  kind  of;, 
luxury.  '  r  •-  >  '  .  : 

6  In  thofe  days,  great  numbers  feparatcdr 

from  the  tyranny  of  Fpifcbpacy,.  to  the  vexa¬ 
tion  of  the  bifheps.  ,  * 

7  And  it  came  to  pals  in  thofe  days,  that: 
Oliver  ufurped  authority  over  the  people,  as 

|  Lord  protetftor  *'  About  this  time.  Chariest 
,  loft  his  head:  I  have  not  the  hiftory  by  me-’ 

8  The  other  royal  Charles,  fled  to  Scotland,? 
become  a  Prcfbyterian.  But  when  he  waal 

■  ^called  to  the  Engl: fit  throne,  he  became  am  E- 
pifcopalian,  and  renounced  his  fclemn  league.! 
e  cc.nfulrcd  the  bifhnps,  md  fent  his.? 
army  to  force.  Epiicopaxy  inScodnodU 


*  9  H 
bloody 


r  9^  J 

Bk'fiecT  mhTfters  we  re  Ti  !chced,‘  numbers  of-' 
the  people  and  mimfters  did  they  maflacre/ 
Others  tied  to  America  May  America  ever 
be  an  afylum  tor  thofe  who  fly  from  tyranny.  * 

-  I  o  He  died,  and  went  to  bis  own  place,*  and 
James,  who  reigned  in  his  dead,  being  moved 
with'  humanity;  granted  liberty  of  conscience. 

;  it  Then  had  the  innocent  Quakers,  as  alfo- 
the  religions  Bapnjls ,  a  little  reft:  and  in  thole 
days,  Bun>  an  axvokc  from  his  dream,  and  faw^ 
that  light  was  good. 

;  12  The  biihops  difeovered  that  James  was  j 
too  favorable  to  the  Catholics,  this  notion 
prevailed  among  the  fcpifcopalians,  till  the  jjj 
heart  of  the  king  did  tremble,  on  account  of  jy 
his  head  ;  and  he  fled  to  France!  3  *  i| 

13  He  died,  and  Ann  reigned  in  his  Bead.  j| 
Jn  thofe  days  d-i  (Tenters  were  difpifed;  and  i| 
jkilons  were  crowded  with  them. 

14  Bur  kind  Providence  removed  her  from  jj; 

the  bloody  kingdom,  ro - 1  know  not  were!  ji 

.  The  latter  kings  have  been  more  mer-  j 
ciful;  but  the  eflabliftiment  (lands,  and  the-  ’ 
government  is  dangerous, 

1 6  The  great  miftake  in  Epifcop acy  lies  in  • 

the  words,  office,  minifler,  “  rule  over,”  &c. 
The  limilitudc  of  cvcrfeer,  ruler,  &c.  when 
applied  to  civil  matters  mud  bear  autho-  j 
nty;  .  _  .  -?  '! 

17  As  minifler  of  (late,  entrufled  by  the*. - 
prince  with  the  adrninifl  ration  of  the  govern-; 
ment;  as  agent,  &c.  But  rhe  kingdom  of  our  Sj' 
Lord  is  r.ot  of  this  world:  therefore  the  cver^l  !'■ 


t  93  3 


Jeefs  of  his  church  arc  fpiritual  guides  ;;Leh>. 
ders,  &c.  :  lt 


CHAP.  XXXIX.'- 


N  efiay  on  the  Merhodifh  conftitution. 


IK  carefully  extracted  from  the  form  ofdif- 
';cipline.  -  •.  » 

Article  i  The  government  of  the  Methodr 
iff  Epilcopal  Church,  is  no  longer  regulated 
bv  the  fuilrage  of  difbict  conferences;  but  i» 
fully  confolidated  under  one  arch-  bifhop,  pre*- 
Jate,  or  head.  .  .  r 

Art.  i  .The  center  of  union  is  general 
conference — or  bifhop.  THe  interval  of  ge¬ 
neral  conference  is  four  years,  ’and  no  law 
.can  be  ena&ed,  repealed,  or  altered  but  there-, 
and  then.  •  \i 

;  Art.  3  No  fettled  minifler,  ft  c  ward,  lead¬ 
er,  nor  lay-member,  fhall  have  a  voice  i.A 
.conference — in  forming  rules  - 

Arts  4  Preachers  may  be  received  qn  tfiaj 
by  the  bifhop,  n  his  deputy,  as  well  as  af 
conference;  but  riot  by  the  people.  ,  y  \v, 

.  Art.  5  The  governors  of  the  people .ar? 
chofen  out  of  the  preachers,  and  that  by  the 
preachers,  and  not  by  the  church:  but.rhc 
bifhop  holds  a  negative  rejpedting  their  ordiT 
nation.  ■  •  r  ;  . 

Art.  6  The  prefident  elders  are  men  of  the 
bifhop’s  choice;  and  their  {land  in  that  de¬ 
partment,  is  during  his  pleafure.  * 

Art.  7  If  any  minder  fhall  ceafe  to  travel, 
without  obtaining  the  approbation  of  confer- 


t  $4  J 


-dfe’the  facred  function  of  a  minifter  in  the 
church. 

Art  8  Local  preachers,  iftheyxan  bring  g. 
good  recommendation,  as  directed  by  law, 
they  may  be  ordained  deacons,  if  the  bilhop 
plcafe:  bur  none  are  accounted  worthy  of 
the  elderihip. 

Art.y  Local  preachers  muftobtain  licenfe 
of  the  travelling  minifters,  in  order  that  they 
may  preach  in  the  circuits  of  fuch  minifters.* 
Art ,  to  Local  preachers  have  not  the  fame 
right  to  the  pulpits,  as  the  travelling  mini- 
11  ers  have. 

Art.  1 1  The  conference  has  a  perpetual 
prefident,  till  removed  by  deaih,  or  expuiv 
lion.  is 

•  Art.  12  Whenever  there  is  a  vacancy  in  the 
holy  fea,  there  fhall  be  a  brad  elected  for  the 
people,  (but  not  by  the  voice  of  the  people, 
nor  local  preachers)  by  the  itinerant  mini- 
fters.  a  >  - 

Art.  13  When  the  general  conference  meet, 
the  bifhop  is  allowed  to  choole  for  himfelf  out 
of  that  body,  a  committee,  or  privy  council; 
which  council  prepares  bufineff  for  confer¬ 
ence;  what,  they  know  not  till  it  comes  be¬ 
fore  them. 

•'  Art.  14  Motions  carried  by  a  majority,  need 
the  hand  of  the  btfhop  to  fign  rhe  work  be¬ 
fore  it  can  be  publifhed;  becaufe  be  holds 
bis  negative  on  the^preis.  >  ' 

Art.  15  The  general  conference  when  mer, 
is  a  body  abfolutc— dcfpoticj  becaufe  it  is  not 


1 


i 


*  ill 
| 


I  95  3 

to  be  reftridled  by  thepeople,  nOr  the  limits 
of  any  former  conft itution.  Whereas  they 
are  not  eledled  by  the  people,  they  cannot  be 
relponflble  to  the  people. 

Art.  1 6  Canons  proceeding  from  the  Ecdt-* 
jjaJUeal  Leptj}iUurei  figncd  by  the  bifhop,  are 
then  binding  on  the  whole  church:  fo  that 
the  people  arc  not  allowed  rhe  liberty  of  re-i 
monftrating  again  ft  any  given  law. 

Art  17  The  prelate  has  power  to  form  the 
diftritfts  and  Ration  the  pr dident  elders.  He 
alfo  appoints  every  preacher  wherever  he  wilt, 
in  fo  abfolute  a  manner,  that  the.minifter  cao^ 

I  not  appeal  to  his  diftribl,  though  injured \ 
This  act  paffed,  though  is  not  printed.: 

Art.  1  8  The  executive  buftnels  refts,  wholly 
■with  the  itenerant  preachers:  only  an  expel-* 
led  member  may  appeal  at  a  quarterly  meetings 
Art  19  Quarterly  meeting  conference  is  corn-* 

'  pofed  of  men,  who  are  in  fubjeflion  to  this 
!v  travelling  elder, — who  is  thejudge  of  that  con-* 
i  ference;  before  whom  the'ea  flout  muft  appear. 

'  Art.  20  The  gradation  .of  their  .ra:  rollers 
!  are  the  local  preacher;  the  helping  travelling 
j  preacher;  the  afliftant;.  the  elder;  the  pre- 
lading  elder,  and.  the  bifhnp  over  all. 

.  .  Art.  21  The  bifhop  is  amenable  to  none 
but  the  general  conference  for  his  conduct  # 
except  in  cafe,  of  wickedsjffs;  then  nine  tra«r 
!  veiling  elders,  may  try  'him,  and  fufpend 
him — if  they  will,  -  ;  t.  -  1 .•  •.  o 

..  Art.  22  Liberty  of  the  prefs  is  not  granted 
to  individuals. 'bus.;  -  * 


Art.  23  It  is  written  in  the  book  of  difci- 
pline,  that  the  bifhcp  has  the  prelkiemfhip 
of  the  college,  &t» 

Art.  24  l'he  bifhop  can  withdraw  the 
preachers  from  any  diftrict. 

Art.  25  The  legtflative,  judicial,  and  exe¬ 
cutive  depaitfncnrs,  are  mltparably  fixed  in 
famehand3.  • 


CHAP.  XL.  ‘ 

A  Sketch  en  Scripture  Giverrment ;  Or,  The  Roy -  I 

etl  Standard.  1  | 

i  COU  LD  call  forth  a  cloud  ofwitnefles  from  j 
the  Old  and  New  Tcftaments,  to  prove 
the  authority,  and  fufficl  ncy  of  the  fciipture; 
Hierarchy ,  but  a  few  will  be  fufheient.  »  - 

'  2  Thus  fa  h  the  Lord  by  the  pen  ofMofes, 
in  the  j  8th  of  Deuteronomy,  “  1  he  Lord  {hall 
raife  up  a  prophet,  (Chrift)  him  lhall  ye  hear 
in  all  things."  -  > 

.  3  The  word  of  the  l  ord  came  unto  the 
prophet  Ifaiah,  “  To  the  law  and  to  the  tefti-  , 
mony;  if  they  fpeak  not  according  to  this 
zccrct,  it  is  becauie  there  is  no  light  in  them. 
Chap.  viii.  20. 

4  The  law  and  tcftlmony,  mud  include  the' 
dedrines  and  government  of  Chrift’s  church. 
05-1  will  now  call  for  the  tcftimorJy  of  Da¬ 
niel,  ix  9,  10.  “  Neither  have  we  obeyed  the 
voice  oi  the  Lord^  to  walk  in  his  laws,  fet 
before  us  by  the  pii/pheu.."'  ' 

6  lfaiah  li.  3.  “  For  out  of  Zion  fliall  go 
forth  the  law,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  from 
Jerufalem.”  Compare  viii.  16.  “  Di.id  up  the' 


t  97  3 

teftimony,  feal  the  law  among  my  dHciples.-' 
See  xi.  12.  .  •  .  T.’  * 

7  Jerufalem  was  the  placewhere thepure 

gofpel  church  was  eflablifhed;  from  whence 
the  dortrine  and  difeipline  wen:  out  into  all 
the  world.  •  • 

8  Matt,  xxviii.  20.  Teaching  them*  to  obr 
ferve  all  things  whatfoever  I  have  command¬ 
ed.  “Take  my  yoke  upon  you,  and  learnMof 
me.  II.  Thef,  iii  6  Now  we  command  you 
brethren,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord,  Sic. 

9  Chap.  iii.  14.  If  any  man  obey  not  bur 

word  by  this  epiftle,  note  that  man,  andKaSre 
no  company  with  him.  t  .  ,  ;  , 

10  The  foundation  of  the  true  church  Is* 

found  in  Eph.  ii.  20.  The  Apoftles  and  pro¬ 
phets,  Jelus  Chrift  the  corner  done./  Com¬ 
pare  lfaiah  ix,  7.  ,(t  ;.  i%.  a  -  ?.  ;  7 

1 1  That  Chriil  is  the  only  headofhis  church, 

can  be  plainly  proved  by  feripture  andrea|bii. 
Iiaiah  ix.  6.  The  government  {hall; Be  upon 
his  fhouldei-.  .  .  Ud  ..  .  M'  .j'f.i, 

12  Eph.  iv.  1 5.  Crow  up  into  him  an  all 
things  which  is  the  head,;&c.  And  Cof.  i.  ,18. 
And  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church. 
Compare  Eph.  v.  Chrift  the  head  .of  tile 
church,  as  the  huifband  is  the  head  of  th^  iyife. 

13  Shall  the. church  have  two  heads,  or  the 
woman  two  hulbands  ?  Who  will  not  fear  to 
fet  himjelf /wtf'  with  the  Lord?  \  ~ 

14  Jefus  is  the  only  law- giver,  is  evident 
from  what  hath  been  faidL,  and  what  1  will  at 

*  ...  ;  •  1  . - 


U  i 


ytii 


[  9*  3 

.*  '  i  II 

James,  theApoftle  faith,  **  Be  ye  doers  of  the 
•word.”  "  Fulfil  the  royal  law.”  "  Look  into 
the  perfed  law  of  liberty.”  “  We  have  one 
law-giver.” 

1 5  Let  Paul  fpeak,  “  Do  we  make  void  the 
law  through  faith  ?  No,  we  eftablifh  the  law.” 

*'  We  are  under  the  law  to  Chrift.”  What 
more  do  we  wifh. 

16  As  Chrifi  is  the  only  head  of  the  true  church,  ! 
then  are  his  miniflers  on  a  perfect  equality,  t 
Superiority  is  exprcfsly  forbidden.  Matt.  xx.  j 
25,28. — xxiii.  8,  10.  Be  not  called  Rabbi.  : 

17  To  a<ft  as  Lords,  is  to  fit  as  legiflators 
over  God’s  houfe,  and  that  by  felf-eledion;  j 
and  then  to  execute  thofe  laws  on  the  lay- 
members. 

•  18  Whereas  it  Is  written,  I.  Pet.  v.  2.  &c. 
Feed  the  flock  of  God,  overlook  the  bufinefs,  j 
‘not  bjr  conftraint;  neither  as  lords  over  God’s  |1 

•  heritage^  -  -  . 

T 9-  At  the  conference  in  Jerufalem,  there 
were  no  miniflers  by  the  title  of  bifhop.  The 
-  Fifteenth  of  Ads  fhew,  that  the  Apoftles  and 
Eiders  were  the  only  miniflers  there.  Com¬ 
pare  Ads  xx.  28,  &c. 

20  “  Let  the  Elders  that  rule  well  be  counted 
worthy  of  double  honor.”  i.  e.  Support.  If 
the  Elder  mufl  have  double  honor,  w  hat  fhall 
the  bifhop  have  ?  The  Apo file  'ne^leficd  him. 
.21  Paul  did  never  exercife  the  authority 

•  that  Francis  doth.  He  did  not  lord  it  over 
their  faith,  nor  fend  a  miniftcr  but  by  his  free 
ccnfent.  This  is  plain.  I.  Cor.  xvi.  1  2. 


i 


[  99  3 

CHAP.  XLI.  r 

The  travelling  and  fettled  Mimferspver^  all  work* 
ers  together  in  the  Churchy  and  Churches ;  ,on  a 
prrfetl  Equality.  ;  j  jj  .1  fih’yy* 

TH  E  church  at  Jerufalem  was  rightly 
founded,  and  in  Acts  xv.  we  find,  feyer 
ral  minifiers  in  that  church.  Compare. Adts 
xi.  22.  Heb.  xiii  7.  Barnabas  having;  long 
laboured  in  the  Church  at  Antioch,  “  Hedc- 
parted  to  Tarfus,”  &c.  ,  -  .tr  c. 

2  Adis  xij.  25  We  find  Barnabas  .and  Saul 
returning  from  Jerufalem,  after  ful filing  their 
minifiry  there.  .•  <'r  r-d'l-n/  c’ 

3  Adis  xiii.  1,  2,  3.  Several  minifiers  In 
the  church  of  Antioch,  to  wit,  Simon,  Bar« 
nabas,  Lucius,  Manaeu,  &c.  Verfe  134  Paul 
and  Barnabas  are  fent  to  other  places,  &c. 

4  Adis  xiv.  21.  &c  PauL, and  Barnabas 
.returns  back  by  L) fir-*,  ,  confirming  ’the 
churches.  After  this,  (Ads  xv.  35^  Paul  and 
Barnabas  labour  in  Antioch,  “  with  jfiany  o- 
_thers.”s>  : 

,5  Adis  xv.  36-  Paul&  Barnabas  ard  found 
vifiting  all  the  churches,  to  lee  how  they 
flood.  Adis  xvi.  4^  They  deli  ver  the  divine 
:  decrees  (which  were  given  by  the  Holy  Ghofi) 
to  every  church,  for  them  to  obferye.  .,.1 
6  Befides  thofe  travelling  minifiers,  -they 
“  ordained,  elders  in  every  city,”  And  as.ifjs 
written  in  the  holy  bibje,  in  the  year.  i6.jp. 
“  They  ordained  elders  by  ihe  eledlion  of  tjae 
churches.”  Why  did  the  latter  trahfiators 
leave. thofc  words^out  ...  ,:.u  f.-r. 


f  ICO  ] 


7  Adis  xvii.  14.  Paul  and  Silas,  with  Ti. 
^nothy,  are  found  in  the  church  at  Berea : 
Paul  is  removed,  but  the  other  two  remain, 
xviii.  1.  Paul  is  found  in  Corinth,  ! 

S  Adtsxviii.  5,  &c.  Silas  and  Timothy  com- 
cth  to  Paul  from  Macedonia.  Ver.  1 9.  Paul, 
moves  ro  the  church  of  Ephelus,  then  in  ano¬ 
ther  church,  Paul  laboured  1  8  months. 

9  Adis  xviii.  27.  An  account  that  Aquilla 
and  Prifcilla  gave  a  letter  of  recommendation 
to  a  certain  minifter  who  was  difpofed  to  tra¬ 
vel,  and  his  name  was  A  polios : 

10  And  from  their  letter  of  reccommendation, 
he  was  received  by  the  church  of  Achaia. 

11  Adis  xix.  22.  Timothy  and  Eraflus  are 
found  going  to  the  church  of  Macedonia,  & c. 
Chap.  xx.  4.  We  find  Paul  and  /even  more 
travelling  miniflers  together.  Chap.  xx.  27, 
&c.  The  elders  of  the  church  in  Ephefus  re¬ 
ceive  the  counfel  of  God,  from  Paul. 

V  \i  Chap.  xxi.  18.  Paul  is  found  in  Jeru-  ; 
falem,  at  the  houfeof  James,  and  all  the  el—  ; 
ders  prefent:  the  number  I  cannot  afeer-  j 
tain.  : 

13  See  I.  Cor.  iii.  8,  &c.  He  that  plantelh, 
and  he  that  t vdteretb  are  owe:  1  planted,  ApoU 
los  watered',  but  God  gave  the  increafe.  1 

14  Cap.  iii.  22.  Let  no  man  glory  in  then ; 
whether  Paul  or  Apollos — all  are  yours.  Chap, 
iv.  17.  Timothy  is  fent  to  remind  them  of 
Paul’s  way,  as  he  taught  in  every  church. 

*  15  Chap.  xii.  treats  on  the  unity  of  theil' 

body,  and  the  mutual  care  one  fhould  have  of 


[  101  ] 

another;  that  if  one  member  fufFer,  all  fhould 
fuffer  with  it. 

1 6  Chap.  xvi.  10.  “If  Timothy  come,  fee 
that  he  may  be  with  you  without  fear;  for  he 
worketh  the  work  of  God,  as  I  alio  do.” 

17  V.  12.  "  As  touching  our  brother  Apol- 
los,  I  greatly  defired  him  to  come  unto  you,.” 
— “  but  his  will  was  not  at  all  to  come  at  this 

j  time.”  There  was  no  bifhip  to  compel  him. 

18  II.  Cor.  vi.  1.  “  We  then  as  workersto- 

gether  with  him,  befeech  you.”  Chap,  vii. 
6,  7.  Titus  from  the  church  of  Corinth,  com- 
forteth  the  preachers  in  Macedonia.  And 
again;  “  If  any  do  enquire  of  Titus,  he  isrny 
partner,  '  , 

19  And  fellow-helper  concerning  yout” 

"  They  are  the  meffengers  of  the  churches, 
and  the  glory  of  ChrifL”  Lord,  who  would 
try  to  block  up  the  way  of  a  hqly  travelling 
miniller?  '  ■ 

20  In  Paul’s  letter  to  Ephcfus,  we  read  in 
the  beginning  that  the  body  is  one,  and  Chrifl: 
is  her  head.  Chap.  iv.  One  body,  one (pfirit, 
one  faith;  one  hope,  one  Lord,  &c.  Chap.  v. 
11  Chrift  is  head,  and  faviour  of  the  body.”. 

CHAP.  XLII. 

The  fame  Subjedl  continued.  •. 

IN  chap.  vi.  we  read  of  a  travelling,  miniftcr, 
namely,  Tychicus.  fent  to  the  church  of 
Corinth.  Phil.  ii.  19.  “  I  truft  in  the  Lord 
Jefus,  to  fend  Timothy  fliortly.  See  ver.  25. 
2  In  Paul’s  letter  to  the  church  of  Colofle, 


r  102  j 


chap.  i.  t  S.  we  read,  that  Chrift  is  head  of  the 
church.  “  I  fuppofed  it  ncceflary  to  fend  un¬ 
to  you  Epaphroditus.” 

3  Tychicus  is  fent  to  ColofTe.  Read  the 
fourth  chapter,  and  you  will  find  two  travel¬ 
ling  minifters  fent  by  the  Apcftle  to  the 
church  there:  aifo  an  account  of  five  minif- 
ters  with  Paul. 

4  Paul  to  the  chuichof  the  ThefTalonians 
wrote,  and  lent  “  Timothy  our  brother,  and 
'minifter  of  God,  and  our  fellow-labourer  in 
thegofpe!  of  Chrift. ”  I.  Ep.  iii.  2  and  5,  “  I 
fent  to  know  your  faith.” 

5  Paul  wrote  thus  to  Timothy,  Demas 
.hath  forfaken  me;  Crefcens  is  gone  to  Galla- 

tia  ;  Titus  (is  gone)  to  Dalmatia  :  only  Luke 
is  with  me.” 

6  If.  Tim.iv.  9,  &c.  ver  12,  20.  "  Tychi- 
,f  cus  have  I  fent  to  Ephcfus,  &c.  Eraftus  a- 
"bode  at  Corinth  ,  but  Trophimus  have  I 
“  left  at  Miletum  fick. 

•  7  Paul  to  Titus,  “  1  left  thee  in  Crete,  that 
"thou  fhouldft  fet  things  in  order  that  arc 
"wanting,  and  oidain  elders  in  every  city, 
“  as  I  had  appointed.” 

8  Titus  iii.  12.  "  VVhen  I  (hall  fend  Arte- 
"  mas  unto  thee,  or  Tychicus,  be  diligent  to 
u  come  unto  me.  Ver.  13  Bring  Zenas  the 
lawyer,  and  A  polios  on  rheir  journey.”  Phil. 
!  li.  29.  30.  C6l.1v.  10  Il.Cor.vni.  i8,8rt. 
-  :  9  If  what  I  have  col'eded  from  the  (acred 


I 


1 


writing  will  not  fufttcc,  to  (hew  the  accuracy 


C  !©3  3 

of  travelling  and  fettled  minitters  being  on  a 
perfect  equality,  and  workers  together  in  all 
the  churches,  in  fcripture-times,  it  would  be 
I  of  no  ufe  to  draw  more  vouchers 

CHAP.  XLIII. 

I  The  Hierarchy,  or  D.vine  Government ,  or  Go/pcl 
Order ,  the  Royal  Standard  or  Enfgn  for  the 
i  “  Chriflian  Church i  1  (  » 

LET  us  now  enquire  for  the  author  and  re¬ 
former  of  the  “  Chrittian  Church,”  or  the 
New- Jerufalem  that  came  down  from  God, 
outofheav.cn*  ‘  '  i 

2  We  find  in  Heb.  ix  to,  that  the  Lord 
Jetus  is  the  reformer.  "  He  taketh  away  the 
I-!  firft,  that  he  might  ettablith  the  feco'nd.” 
i  Heb.  x  9.  '  1  !  : 

I  ,3  He  is  the  minitter  of  the  fanefuary,  ' and 
j  of  the  true  Tabernacle,  which  Jehovah  pitch¬ 
ed,  and  not  man.  viii  2.  He  is  the  eternal 
fon,  over  his  own  houfe:  and  a  high  prisft 
1  over  the  church  forever.,  Heb. 

4  He  is  our  only  Lord  and  Matter,  and  all 
|  we  are  brethren,  “  He  that  exalteth  himfelf 
i  (above  his  brethren)  fhall  be  abated.  See  the 
j  Pope  now.  "  Be  ye  not  called  Rabbi ;  and 
call  no  man  yojjr  lather.”  Matt,  xxiii.  8,  9, 
10,  r  r.  /  ;';i  ,A 

5  Jefus  Jehovah  is  the  only  head  of  the 
u  Chrittian  Church,”  This  will  plainly  ap¬ 
pear  from  the  following  texts;  I.  Cor.  xi.  3. 
Ephef.  i.  22.  iv.  15.  Col.  i.  18.  ii.  19;  Two 
heads  to  one  body  would  produce  a  montter  i 


[  I04  ] 

6  In  the  divine  bonk  of  difeipline,  we  find; 
that  females  are  under  certain  reft  ridtions 
with  repaid  to  ipeaking  in  the  church.  And 

7  1  he  interpretation  of  this,  will  fully,  and 
cleaily  fliew  Chrift  the  only  head  of  the  body 
—or  church. 

8  In  I.  Cor.xi.  5,  &c.  we  find  that  women 
were  allowed  to  pray,  and  prophecy,  with  co¬ 
vered  heads.  “  Male  and  female  are  all  one 
in  (  hrift.”  Luke  i.  41,  &c.  Elizabeth  and 
Mary  fhouted  and  praiftd  God  aloud.  Com¬ 
pare  Luke  xi.  27. 

.  9  I.  Cor.  xiv.  34,  &c.  Let  your  women  keep! 
filence  in  the  churches;  for  it  is  not  permit-! 
ted  unto  them  to  fpeak;  but  they  arc  commanded 
to  be  under  obedience,  as  alfo  faith  the  law.! 

10  By  reading  the  foregoing  part  of  the: 
chapter,  and  then  comparing  the  conclulive 
verfe,  where  the  Appftle  directed  decent  or¬ 
der  ;  we  fhall  find,  that  thofe  were  loolifh  , 
contentious  women;  who  defired  the  pre-  1 
eminence  I.  Tim.  ii.  12. 

11  The  intcrepretation  appears  to  be  this, 
.**  The  head  of  the  woman  is  the  man;’’  there¬ 
fore,  when  the  woman  raketh  upon  herfelf 
man’s  authority,  either  in  her  own  houfe,  or 
in  the  houfe  of  God,  " 

,  -iz  She  fiteth  where  fire  ought  not:  fhe  I 
difgraceth  her  hufband,  interrupteth  her  mi- 
fliiier<,  and  bringeih  fhame  to  herfelf;  be- 
caufe  fhe  hath  taken  authority  over  her  head  : 
'■zr.d  (He  jhaU  be  called  a  bold  ufurper.'  ,  1 

13  But  a.  helper  ftie  is,  and  for  that  pur- 


r  ro5  i 

pofe  was  file  created.  And  the  man  is  com¬ 
manded  to  love,  honor,  and  highly  refpetft 
her.  “A  virtuous  woman  is  far  above  ru  - 
bies.”  “  A  woman  that  feareth  the  Lord, 
file  {hall  be  praifed.” 

1 4  Jefus  the  Lord,  is  head  of  every,  man, 
(and  woman)  in  the  church.  See  I.  Cor.  xi. 
3.  “  The  head  of  every  man  is  Chrift ;  the 
head  of  the  woman  is  the  man,-  the  head  of 
Chrift  is  God,”  i.  e.  his  own  eternal  God- 
Head. 

15  Women  ought  to  appear  in  the  holy 
afiembly  with  heads  covered,  either  natural¬ 
ly  or  artificially,  by  keeping  on,  what  the 
man  taketli  off.  Let  her  cover  her  lace  when 
fhe  fpeaketh  or  prayeth  in  the  church. 

j6  But  for  a  man  to  wear  his  hat  in  wor- 
fiiip,  or  to  wear  longhair  at  any  time,  is 
a.  ftiame:  and  not  the  cuftom  of  feripture 
times.  1.  Cor.  xi.  14,  &c. '  •  T 

*A;  j.  r<-  L  •  f  ■ 

CHAP.  XI IV.  •'  ;  V: 

The  fire  foundation  of  the  “  Cbrifiian  Church  f 

THL  houfe  of  God  is  fituate  on  a  fpjri- 
tual  eminence,  known  by  the  name  of 
“Mount  Zion.”  The  true  church  is  built  on 
the  eternal  rock,  on  which  are  feven  pillars, 
according  to  infinire  wifidom  and  order;  with 
mighty  corner  ftones. 

2  This  foundation  God  laid  by  his  Prophet 
and  Apoftlcs.  Sec  Eph.  ii,  20,  The  trus 


-  C  ] 

government  was  ever  divine.  The  Hierarchy 
by  which  the  old  Jerufalcm  church  was  go¬ 
verned,  was  a  true  theocracy.  Compare  Dan. 
ix.  9,  i.o,  .  ■  •  • 

3  The  Lord  appointed  men  in  thofe  days, 
;who  were  infpired  Prophets,  called  Judges,- 
fornethirjg  referubling  Apo'lllcs.  They  tra* 
veiled  in  their  circuits,  and  they  taught  and 
explained  the  divine  difeipline. 

4  The  people  at  length  were  corrupted  by 
t.  the  example  ot  infidels,  and  in  order  to  be 

like  them,  they  earnefily  defired  a  king ;  as 
a  human  vifible  head  to. go  before  them.  Sa-  , 
muel  mourned,-  but  God  faid,  “  They  have 
rejected  me.’,'  I.  Sam.  viij.  7, 

5  And  it  came  to  pafs  after  thofe  days,  that  , 
Rehoboam,  by  his  oppreflive  meafures,  caufed 

a  reparation.  -One  party  was  called  Judah, 
and  the  other  part  was  called  Ephraim.  See 
Hofeaonthis.  . 

6  W  hile  Ephraim  was  humble,  God  loved 
him.  The  Lord  propofed  to  reform  the 
church  of  Ephraim,  and  put  them  back  on  the 
.divine order ;  faying,  (Hofea  xiii.  9,  to,  11.) 

“  1  will  be  thy  king.”  i.  e.  Thy  head.  T-'  •  < 

7  They  refufed.  “  Ephraim  envied  Judah,  ! 
and  Judah  vexed  Ephraim.”  Ephraim  turn-  j 
,ed  to  idolatry.  Judah  was  arrogant  and  am-  1 
bitious,  through  bigotry  and  raging  preju-  ,j 
d  ee,,  whereby,,  many  finned  againfl  light  and  | 
knowledge,  even  unto  death.  And,  crucified  , 
their  great  Reformer.’ 

ft  John  P.cxt  appears ;  he  was  not 


I 

I  f 

C  I07  ] 

one  of  the  gofpel  minifters,  but  a  great  pro¬ 
phet,  and  forerunner  of  Chrift,  and  his  king¬ 
dom.  ... 

9  He  flood  as  the  link  of  a  chain  between 
the  Old  and  New  Jerufalem.  As  Chri ft  Je- 
fus  was  appoired  to  be  our  High-  Prieftt  it  be¬ 
hoved  him  to  fulfil  every  divine  order: 

to  Therefore,  at  30  years  of  age  (according 
to  the  flefn)  he  was  baptifed,  and  received  the 
holy  anointing,  in  the  form  of  a  Dover  and 
thus  he  fulfilled  that  righteounefs.  Mart,  fit-  >  .> 
14,  15.  See  the  Levitical  laws.  . 

n  The  firft  Chriflian  church  was  planted  in 
old  literal  Jerufalem.  From  that  church 
went  forth  the  dodrine  and  difeipline  of  our 
Lord,  in’ o  all  the  world. 

12  “  The  government  fhail  be  on  his  {houl- 
der,”  Ifaiah  ix.  6  “Bind  up  the  teflrmony, 
feal  the  law  among  my  difciples,”  Ifaiah  viii. 

16.  Compare  :d  and  3d,  “  Out  of  Zion  fhall 
go  forth  the  law,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord 
from  Jerufalem.” 

13  Truth  isas-a  nail  in  a  hire  place.  "Teach 
them  all  things  whatfoever  I  have  command¬ 
ed  you.”  Not  teaching  for  (pradical)  "doc¬ 
trine,  the  commandments  of  men.”  • 

1 4  This  is  the  faith  once  delivered  tG  the 
faints,  for  which  I  contend.  Holy  dodrine 

,  begets  holy  faith,  and  that  produceth  a  holy 
life.  To  know  God  in  Chrift,  and  to  ferve 
him  with  a  perfed  heart,  and  willing  mind— 
is  pure  religion. 

'  :  s  .  .  •  ;  . 1 


C  ] 

CHAP.  XLV. 

.  u  The  Chrijlian  (ihurcb  ”  is  one ,  &>c. 

MY  undefiled  is  one;  the  only  one  of  her 
(heavenly)  Mother,  Cant.  vi.  9.  The 
different  fcattere.d  churches  belong  to  the  lame 
Head  and  organised  body  .  Thofe  churches  are 
ele&ed  fitters :  See  John’s  fecond  letter  and 
fall  verle. 

2  I  he  uniting  plan  is  found  in  the  epittle 
toEphefus,  iv  4,  &c.  “  One  body  ?  one  fpirif; 
one  calling;  one  hope  ;  one  Lord ;  one  faith  ;  one 
baptifm  ;  one  God  and  Father.”  Oneway  to 
heaven. 

3  Who  is  on  the  Lord's  fide? 

^  .  Now  let  names  and  parties  fall, 

“  The  Chrifiian  Church,'’  be  one  and  all. 
There  is  but  one  door  into  this  body,  I.  Cor. 
xii  13.  And  there  is  but  one  way  out ;  that 
is- fin.  Ilaiahlix.  2. 

4  The  church  is  the  Lord’s  court,  Pfalm 
Ixv.  4.  At  this  court  ought  minitters,  (who 
are  only  leading  characters,  and  gifted  mem¬ 
bers)  to  be  tried  for  diforder. 

5  Was  it  ever  heard,  was  it  ever  read  be¬ 
tween  the  lids  of  the  New  Telfament,  where 
particular  Jaws  were  laid  down  for  the  billiop, 
the  elder,  ?  •--- 

6  The  title  minittfrs,  or  tntnijlri,  fignify 
fervants;  to  attend  and  wait,  not  as  matters 
to  be  miniftered  unto,  but  fervants  for  Jefus 
fake:  and  therefore  to  minitter, 

7  See  Jefus  of  glory,  in  the  days  of  his  hu¬ 
mility,  wattling  the  difciples  feet !  Bow  ye 


f  I09  ] 

haughty  prelates,  and  fall  before  the  Lord  thv 
God!  . 

8  “  My  kingdom  is  not  ol  this  /political) 

world/’'  John  xvtii  36.  William,  whofe  fir- 
name  is  M'Kendree,  was,  quite  out  of  the  fe- 
crct,  when  he  fpake  at  Lanes’  chapel' (1797) 
after  this  manner  ••/'  ■  ,  .w  •  •  * 

9  That  O’K.  had  led  him  aftray  for  a  long 
time;  but  by  reading  “  church  policy,”  he 
found  himfelf  in  an  error;  and  now  was  rea¬ 
dy  to  defend  the  Methodift  E.  Government. 

10  l  et  no  man  who  believe  the  lcriprures, 

and  will  oblcrve  (Rev.  xxii  18,  1 9.)  ever  again 
venture  to  deny  the  fufficicncy  of  the  fcrip- 
tures  in  governing  the  “  Chriflian  church/' 
See  the  rules.  -  -  * 

11  Art  thou  a  Chriftian,  and  civil  citizen  f 

See  Rom.  xiii  1, 2,&c.  “  Let  every  foul  be  lisb- 
je<5l/’  &c.  Art  thouaneighbour?  "Lovethy 
neighbour  (in  ju  fiice,^ equity.  Truth,  mercy, -and 
kindnefs)  as  thyfelf/’  “Do  by  all  as  you 
would  be  dene  by.”  - 

12'.  In  giving,  lending,  borrowing,  &c.  let 
this  be  thy  rule  in  all  things;  treat  others  as 
you  would  reafonably  delire  them  to  treat  you. 

13  Art  thou  honeftly  feeking  the  neceiTa - 

ries  of  life?  “  Provide  lor  thy  hoolhold,” 
Yet,  “  Beware  of  covetoufnefs,”  Lukexiirj, 
Seek  not  to  be  rich.  “  If  riches  intreafe,  let 
not  your  heart  upon  diem.”  e 

1 4  "  Be  rich  in  good  works  ;  ready  to  dis¬ 

tribute.”  “  Having  food  and  raiment  be  con¬ 
tent.”  _  -- 


[  110  3 


’15  "  Hujbands ,  love  your  wives,  and  be  not 
bitter  againft  them.”  Let  the  wife  fee  that 
Hie  obey,  and  reverence  herhulbai.d.  Parents, 
provoke  not  your  children;  but  bring  them  up 
in  Gcdly  difeipline.  Paul. 

1 6  “  Children,  obey  your  parents."  Servants, 
obey  your  mafiers.  “  Maflcrs,  give  unto  your 
Jervants  that  which  is  juft  and  equal ( Col.  iv  i) 
knowing  that  you  have  a  mailer  in  heaven.” 
•'.*  Forbear  threatening?” 

17  Art  thou  a  ChriJlian-Jl av*  ?  Learn  pati¬ 

ence,  be  as  content  as  polli ole ;  ufe  no  pro¬ 
voking  nor  hojlile  meafures  for  thy  deliverance; 
but  if  Providence  opens  a  legal  way,  embrace 
'it.  ■■  -■e-iv  J  •  • 

18  The  feelings  of  the  godly  are  thus  ad- 
drelTed  by  the  Apoftle,  Heb.  xiii  3.  Remem¬ 
ber  them  that  are  in  bonds,  as  bound  with  them; 
being  yourfelves  alio  in  the  body.”  “Let 
the  opprejfed go  free.”  llaiah. 


••-1  'V  ~  . 

CHAP.  XLVL 


Rules  and  Regulations  Divine. 

S  members  of  one  body,  Chrift  is  the 


l\.  center  of  union,  as  alio  the  head,  from 
whom  all  receive  nourifhment.  Love  to  Him 
is  the  term  of  communion:  “  If  any  man  love 
not  Jehovah  Jefus  Chrift,  let  him  be  expell¬ 
ed.  I.  Cor.  laft  chap.  22d  verle. 

2  Marks  of  our  love  to  Jefus  Chrift  muft 
be  judged  by  our  willing  obedience  to  his 
commands.  “If  ye  love  me  keep  my  com¬ 
mandments.”  ■  , 


C  “I  i! 

*  3  If  any  man  that  is  failed  a  brother ,  be  a  for¬ 

nicator ,  or  covetous,  or  a  railer,  'or  a  drunkard,  or 
an  extortioner-;  zvilb  Jnch  an  one,  no  r.ot  to  eat.  i. 
Cor.-  v.  ii  .  •  <'  '•  ! 

4  If  any  man  obey  not  our  \vord  by  this 
epillle,  note  that  man,  and  have  no  company 
with  him.  II.  Thel.  iii.  14.  If  a  man  lin, 
'(publicly)  rebuke  him  before  all.  Pr- 

5  If  a  brother  (walk  difordcrly  in  thy  fight,) 

or  trefpafs  againfl  thee,  followkhe  divine  rule 
laid  down.  Matt,  xvjji  1  5,  Sec.  'But ‘if thy  bro¬ 
ther  repent,  “  thou  fnak. forgi  ve  him.”  .  Luke 
xvii  3,  4.  11.  Cor.  ii.  6,  &c.  /  ,  .  , 

6  If  difputes  arife  among  brethren  refpedt- 

ing  temporal  matters,  2nd  they  cannot  fettle 
it  themfelves  to  fatisfa&ion,  .they  have  a  plain 
rule  I.  Cor.  vi.  1.  You  need  be,  at  nolofs’for 
divine  rules  of  difeipline.  v  %  ;  y 

7  See  the  equality  in  the  "  Chrifti an  church./* 
Let  the  brother  of  low  degree  rejoice  in  that 
he  is  exalted;  but  the  rich  in  that  he  is  made 
low.  -  James  i.  9,  10.  ,0  V. -  ^  ; 

..  8  With  regard  to  cloarhing ;  I  read  that 
gold,  rings,  gaudy  raimept,  things  very  rich, 
-  and  coflly,  things  naughty  and  fuperftuous, 
with  a  falhionable  conformity  to  a  vain  world, 
are  expresfly  forbidden.  Moderation -is  right. 

9  A  little  wine  is  lawful,  and  neceflary  In 
leveral  cafes.  Paul.  Strong  drink  in  cafes  of 

*  necefliry,  faid  Solomon.  But  the  general  rule 

L;  “  Whether  you  eat  or  drink,  &C.  ,do  all  to 
the  glory  of  God  ”  ~  • 


[  1*2  3 

1 0  Again,  Whatfoever  things  are  true,  ho- 
nefl,  juft,  pure,  lovely,  good;  thinkonthefc 
things.  Phil,  iv  8. 

11  Marriage  is  honorable,  Heb  xiii^..  But 
chriftians  ought  to  marry  in  the  Lord,  and 
not  be  unequally  yoked  with  unbelievers. 

12  God’s  houic  is  the  houfe  of  prayer  for 
all  nations,  lairh  the  prophet.  Yet  the  church 
have  rules  to  know  minillers  by.  See  Matt,  vii 
l6.  II.  John.  Ifaiah  viii  20. 

13  With  regard  to  the  equality  and  unity 
of  minifters,  travelling  and  fettled,  as  work¬ 
ers  in  all  the  churches,  in  the  days  of  truth  ; 

I  am  able  to  draw  forth  a  cloud  of  witnefles : 
but  feeing  they  are  to  be  found  in  A<5ls,  and 
the  Epiftles  of  the  Apofties,  why  ftiould  I 
write  them  ?  “  Search  the  feriprures.” 

14  The  churches  are  directed  toefteem  and 
fupport  their  minifters,  (who  need)  and'efpc-  , 
cially  thofe  who  labour  (as  the  ox)  and  rule  I 
well,  giving  their  whole  time  to  the  bufinefs.  | 

15  The  way  of  partial  chofen  paftors,  one  ! 
•for  Paul,  and  one  for  Apollos,  is  the  way  to  j 
exalt  fome  miniflers,  and  debafe  others.  It  ; 

■  appears  fo  unequal,  that  I  cannor  think  it  is 
divine.  All  are  yours — whether  Paul  or  Apol¬ 
los,  &c. 

16  To  conclude,  Let  us  who  fear  the  Lord, 

forfake  not  our  fcleit  meetings,  whilft  the 
following  texts  rc main  in  the  Bible;  Malachi 
iii  16.  James  v  16.  Heb.  x  25.  *5  Be  rea-| 

dy  to  give  anaulwerof  the  reafon  of  your j  , 
hope.”  I.  Cor.  xiv.  I  I 


[  ”3  ] 

1 7  Exhort  one  another ;  edifying  one  ano¬ 
ther.  Come  ye  that  fear  God,  and  1  will  tell 
what  he  hath  done  for  my  foul.  David.  See 
I.  Cor.  xiv.  Occalionally,  an  unbeliever  might 
•  be  let  into  thofe  meetings,  and  be  convinced 
of  all,  and  report  that  God  is  there.  : 

iS  "  Know  the  hate  of  thy  flock.”  Sol. 
That  leading  men  were  in  the  church,  be- 
fides  minfters,  read  Adts  xv  22.  That  the 
church  is  the  free  woman,  read  Gal.  v.  I: 
Cor.  v.  Mat.  xviii,  Adis  xv.  "Stand  faff  in 
the  liberty  wherein  Chrift  hath  made  thee 
free.  Amen. 

CHAP.  XLVII. 

Letter  of  Addrefs  to  the  Methodift  Chrijlians . 

JAMES  the  leafl,  and  elder  brother,  by  the 
mercy  of  God,  and  not  of  man  ;  unto  the 
members  of  the  Methodift. E.  Church,  greet¬ 
ing:  -  \  ; 

2  Grace,  mercy  and  love  be  multiplied  un¬ 
to  you  all,  in  and  through  our  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift*  .  1 

3  After  you  have  read  and  confldered  the 
contents  of  my  writing,  I  hope  you  will  do  me 
juftice  to  the  beft  of  your  judgment. 

4  You  will  find  that  the  preachers  are  ftirv-y 
ing  to  fupport  their  government  and  power, 
at  theexpenle  of  my  charadler!  It  would  be' 
needlels  to  repeat  the  trifling  reports,  refpedt-  ; 
ing  my  obftinacy,  felf- will,  <■&<:.  . 

5  But  they  have  gone  as  far  as  to  chatg£ 
H 


a 


C  ”4  ] 

me  with  difhonefty;  faying,  He  wronged 
perfon  in  the  purchaie  of  land,  and  a  mill, —  : 
O  cruel  Hander! 

6  I  foltmnly  declare,  I  gave  the  man  his 
afking  for  the  land,  and  paid  him  gold  to  o_ 
blige  him,  when  paper  money  was  a  lawful 
tender-  This  1  did  before  afked  :  and  a  word 
of  difpute  never  pafTed. 

7  The  old  mill  w'as  valued,  at  bis  requeH,  and 
I  paid  the  valuation  before  the  money  was  due; 
and  took  in  my  lajl  bond.  All  this  I  am  ajile 
to  prove. 

8  I  expert  thefe  things  have  been  founded 
in  your  ears.  They  fay  1  am  a  man  of  a  devi~ 

five  fpirit,  and  a  party  was  what  1  had  in  view 
from  the  fir(\. 

9  In  this  I  am  wronged  alfo;  as  my  letters 
can  teilify,  if  they  were  brought  forth  Yes, 
my  former  letters  canwitnefs,  that  I  was  ever 
warmly  oppofed  to  a  divifion. 

10  Some  fay,  that  I  declared  I  had  rather 
loofe  an  arm.  I  have  been  provoked  tofpeak, 
but  1  dare  not  fay  that  I  ever  fpake  that:  but 
if  I  did,  I  fpake  as  I  thought — no  doubt. 

n  l  think  I  have  no  need  of  former  letters 
nor  the  teftimony  of  thole  who  have  heard 
me  fpeak  againft  a  feparation,  but  my  con- 
du$:  will  prove  this. 

12  I  continued  among  you,  in  love  amd. 
friendfhip,  as  long  as  I  poHibly  could,  after 
leaving  conference.  But  you  fhut  your  doors. . 
againft  met  and  drove  me  frpm  yopr  union > ' 
what  more  could  I  do? 


[  1  *5  I 

13  This  is  net  all ;  I  am  read/  now  to  be 
with  you  in  love  and  church  communion,  as 
ever:  Think  and  let  think.  Is  thy  heart  aT 
7 nine}  Give  me  thy  hand. 

14  If  love  is  denied,  I  call  for  the  ordinance 
of  juffice.  Never  condemn  a  perfun  before 
you  have  heard  both  ;  for  he  that  is  firftin  his 
own  caufe,  feemeth  right,  but  his  neighbour 
corr.eth  in,  and  fearcheth  him  out. 

i '5  If  your  prejudice  is  too  ft  rang  for  your 
judgment,  then  1  had  rather  appeal  to  Caefar. 
You  are  raught  to  mark  them  that  caule  divi- 
(Ions.  Bur  let  your  teachers  ftate  matters' 

.  fairly,  and  finifli  the  text,  "  Mark  them  that 
caufe  divisions  and  offences,  contrary  to  the 
dodtrine  which  ye  have  learned,”  &c..' 

16  I  am  not  the  caufe  of  the fchifvvin  th£ 
body,  which  word  fignifies,  cut,  or  cleft;  nei-, 
ther  do  I  teach  falfe  dodtrine;  nor  do  I  wi-fh 
to  be  divided  from  you;  only  give  me  liber¬ 
ty  of  confeience. 

17  When  Paul  wrote,  he  had  no  view  ofthe 
Methodift  E.  government,  nor  doth  his  words' 
condemn  thoferhat  forfake  it;  but  the  fcrip-\ 
ture  government  and  doctrine  was  his  Hand-- 
ard. 

18  The  cry  is,  ct  He  has  no  bufinefs  among> 
our  people.”  What,  have  no  bufinefs  among 
mine  own  children  in  the  Lord;  and  my 
Mailer’s  family,  where  I  have  fpent  the  prime 
of  my’ life? 


CHAP.  XLVIII.  , 

The  Tetter  continued. — Dr.  Coke's  Letter  infer t - 

cd,  &c.  j1 

IN  the  beginning  of  our  diftrefs,  I  was  not 
only  comforted  and  encouraged  by  Tho¬ 
mas,  but  awfully  warned  to  ftand  againft'the 
proceedings  of  Francis — at  my  peril ! 

2  See  the  letter, 

“  Wilmington,  Del.  May  4,  1791. 
u  To  Brother  O’Keily, 

0  Dear  Friend, 

“  I  HAVE  written  a  letter  of  a  fbeet  and  a 
half  to  you  :  but  on  confideration  I  believe  1 
fhall  not  fend  it  to  you  till  1  reach  Europe, 

3  And  then  I  probably  fhall  write  as  much 
again  to  you-  By  this  time  you  probably  have 
been  informed  of  our  great  lofs,  in  the  death 
of  Mr.  Wefley.  ’  /  ' 

4  I  am  haftening  to  Europe  at  this  impor-  . 
tant  crifis.  You  may  depend  on  my  being 
with  you,  God  willing,  at  the  general  con¬ 
ference. 

5  I  think  no  flep  will  be  taken;  during  mv  . 
ablence  to  prevent  the  general  conference,  it 
wmuld  be  fo  grofs  an  inlult  on  truth,  jufticc, 
mercy  and  peace,  that  it  will  not  be,  1  think, 
attempted.  If  it  be,  and  (uccefsfully,  we  will 
call  a  congrefs.  •  •  .  /  7 

6  I  expect  you  to  be  faithful.  But  as  Mo** - 
decai  faid  to  Efter,  “  think  not  with  thyfelf 
"  that  thou  (halt  efcape  more  than  others: 

"  For  if  thou  altogether  holdeft  thy  peace  at 
"  this  time,  v-  .  ’  -* 


[  x,7  ] 

7  "  Then  fhall  there  enlargement  and  deli— 

“  verance  arife  to  the  Jews  from  another  , 
“  place;  but  thou  and  thy  father’s  houfe  fhall 
“  be  deftroyed.” 

8  O  be  firm.Te  very  firm,  and  very  cauti* 

ous,  and  very  wife,  &c-  And  depend  upon  a 
faithful  friend  in  Thomas  Coke. 

9  As  there  is  no  evil  in  the  letter  1  have 
inlerted,  let  no  evil  be  thought  of  it.  1  write 

i  in  felf  defence,  not  to  hurt  the  character  of 
Thomas;  neither  can  it  hurt  him. 

10  1  have  other  letters  which  might  give 
fome  light,  but  God  forbid  I  ever  fhould  dif- 

'  cover  fuch  meannefs  or  wickednefs,  as  to  do 
things  through  fl rife  or  vain  glory. 

1 1  Some  time  pall  I  faw.  a  letter  wrote  by 
a  learned  perfon,  (not  in  the ’church)  to  an 
epifcopal  elder.  1  'obferved  the  following 
fentences,  viz. 

*  i  2  “If  Mr.  Coke  and  \fbury  are  bilhops 
(as  they  fay)  “  by  regular  order  and  fuccef- 
;  lion;”  I  afk  who  did  they  fucceed  ?  You  will 
1  fay  "  they  fucceeded  Wtfley.”  Was  he  a  bi- 
fhop?  No.  How  then  can  they  be  bifhops 
!  by  fucceflion?  •  -  -  ;  "  ■-  . 

13  But  how  about  regular  order?  Regular  ' 

■  order  is  foniething  done  according  to  law\ 

Bi fliop  in  England  is  a  title  of  honor  and  no- 
1 '  bility,  feting  they  have  a  feat  in  the  houfe  of 
1  lords.  A  bi  fliop  nominated  in  England  by 
I  regular  order,  needs  the  king  in  perfon.  Was 
\  this  the  order  of  your  two  bifhops?  • 

’14  The  learned  Dr.  by  deriving,  or  rather 


[  II*  ] 

driving  the  word  cverfecr,  up  ro  the  Greek, 
by  a  il range  kind  of  backward!  dimofogy,  he 
hath  found  one  word  that  he  thinks  may  ap¬ 
pear  to  favor  epifcopacy. 

15  The  word  is  from  Eri  fttper  and  fceptn- 
maty  or  the  Larin  video r  which  being  inter¬ 
preted,  is  fitpcr  1  idea :  To  look  over,  as  elder,' 
prefbyter,  overfeel’.  No  fuperior  order  is 
found  there. 

16  Finally  brethren,  I  am  drawing'  to  a 
clofe,  to  the  bell  of  my  judgment,  I  have  given' 
you  (as  to  the  fubdance)  a  faithful  account. 
To- which,  if  you  requefl?  it,  I  can  affirm,  and 
produce  the  refdmony  of  others,  who  believe 
as  I  do,-  and  will  affirm  ro  the  bed  of  their 
judgment,  as  to  the  fubdance  of  thofe  fadts. 

17'  My  character  is  now  fully  tried,  and 
powerfully  drained,  but  nor  grazed;  for  they 
cannot  prove  one  evil  again  d  me.  God  hath 
fnewed  me  v.bat  is  gooJ;  and  I  have  drove 
to-do  j rifely,  love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly. 

i  8  t  hus,  my  character  will  appear  with 
double  ludre;  and  be  efiablifhed  forever.  He 
that  diggeth  a  pit  for  his  brother,  will  be  in' 
danger  of  falling  in  !  As  t’nc  cafe  of  Hannan- 
and’ Mordccai  will  fhew.  1 

19  lam  thinkingin  wlrat  manner  my  exalt¬ 
ed  brethren  will  anfwer  what  I  have' written, 
when  cordcience  mud  fpeak  in  them.  Per¬ 
haps  they  may  judge  that  filcnt  contempt  will 
be  bed  policy;  or  pick  at  particular  words, 
and  fneer:  or  darken'  counfel  with  many 
words  of  theirs. 


C  *19  J 

20  If  my  opponents  write  at  all  bn  the  fub- 
je<f t,  that  will  anfwer  any  good  purpofe,  we 
fincerely  defire  that  they  may  attempt  to  pro¬ 
duce  vouchers  from  the  book  of  God,  to 
prove  their  epifcopal  dignity  and  leg i dative 
authority., 

21  The  lay- members  are  not  the  people 
that  gave  theofFence,  or  caufed  the  reparati¬ 
on.  You  have  no  voice  in  Forming  your  own 
government,  but  receive  whatever  your  mini- 
fters  will  impofc  ;  nor  dare  condemn  a  given 
law. 

22  I  remember  you  in  love;  I  write  in  rears; 
I  pad  by  your  houfes  in  forrow.  I  am  as  you 
are;  you  have  net  injured  me  at  all.  I  de¬ 
lire  union  with  you — think  and  let  think. 

23  How  cruel  for  us  to  be  feparated  by  the 
voice  of  tyranny!  I  cordially  defpife  fiavery 
in  every  fenle  of  the  word:  but  thee  f  love. 


Thine  as  ever, 

CHUISTICOLA. 


N.  B.  By  reafon  of  aflii  El  ion,  I  was  too  late  m 
Richmond  to  fiiperinlcnd  the  Parss;  hy  reafon  <tf 
which ,  I'  dif cover  a  few  wifi  tikes  in  this  narra¬ 
tive  But  as  the  eriors  are  very  trifling,  end  ike 


[  120  ] 

true  fetife  of  the  relation  not  injured ,  I  doubt  not 
but  the  Friendly  Reader  will  excufe  both  the  Au¬ 
thor  and  Printer:  But  the  Prejudiced  Reader 
will  be  much  more  offended  at  the  truths ,  than  the 
:ni flakes.  - 

Chjusticola- 


DATE  DUE 


;feb  i  b  71 

NOV  2  9 

MAR  12 

-VI  2  Q  'T 

SEP  2  1 

npr  n  g' 

:  <B  17 

JFi  :  s  . 

PER  1  9 

MAR  1  t 

WR®1**  . 

FEB  2  4  76 

MAR  6 

IUN  ^  5 

l'Sj 

APR  7  76 

DEC  19  30 

CT  i%J 

OEC  2  0 

APR  2  7  7g 

DEC  2  '80 

19V  1  O' 

D!EC  1  B 1998 

OCT  ft 

640V  0  i 

"ftCTt 

,  wfllt 

nov  i  a. 

Oct  o  © 

«unw  oi 

7?r  H 

•OV  2) 

Wt - gg- 

OEC  f 

■  /!, 

OEC  0  1, 

MAY  l  76 

StF  3 

a 

- 

MIC  1  -3 

M  ,  1  1 

PAY  '  - 

OCT  1  8. 

AUG  2  E 

3  ; 

NOV  1 

AU6  ?  ,  7g 

OCT  1  9 

DEC  I  f 

OCT  2  4 

NOV  15 

'JAN  0  9 

NOV  6" 

OEC 0  f 

teftw 

Mm/  -2  A 

J '!  O  1/  l  TC 

'Dec  r? 

.0* 

DEMCO  38-297 


n 


<iC] 


